Blog Posts

This Explanatory Note was written as a reader’s aid to Bill 195 and does not form part of the law.
Bill 195 has been enacted as Chapter 17 of the Statutes of Ontario, 2020.

The Bill enacts the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020.

The Act continues orders made under sections 7.0.2 and 7.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act in relation to COVID-19. Continued orders will cease to apply after 30 days but can be extended by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for additional periods of up to 30 days.

Orders may be amended by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, subject to limitations. A continued section 7.0.2 order may be amended if the amendment would have been authorized under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and if it satisfies other specified requirements. Certain continued section 7.0.2 orders listed in the Act may not be amended. Any continued order may be amended to address transitional issues. Orders may also be revoked.

The power to extend, amend or revoke orders can be delegated to a Minister.

The powers to extend or amend orders cease to apply after one year but the Assembly, on the recommendation of the Premier, may extend those powers for additional periods of up to one year.

Enforcement provisions are included to provide for court orders to restrain contraventions and to provide for offences. Those provisions are based on provisions of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

The Premier, or a Minister, is required to report regularly to the public and, at least once every 30 days, appear before, and report to, a standing or select committee of the Assembly. The Premier is required to table a report in the Assembly after one year and after any extension of the power to extend or amend orders.

If the COVID-19 declared emergency has not already been terminated, the Act provides for its termination.

The Act comes into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor.

Ontario Bill 195

here are a few more pictures from our members who went out and supported the Pandemic Pay Rally

Thank You to OPSEU for arranging a for all of the Health Care workers at TBRHSC.
We appreciate the effort that Jesse Kuluski put into this for all of us also a big THANK YOU to all of our COPE Local 96 members for coming out in support of this rally.

Thanks Holly Molnar for keeping us motivated and up to date on what is happening.

Dear Premier Ford,
While we are pleased that your government has committed to independence, non-partisanship and transparency with
regards to the commission into long-term care and COVID-19, we are seeking some assurances regarding both this
commission and the immediate measures needed that cannot wait for a commission. In addition, we believe that it is
imperative that Ontario hold a full public commission or inquiry into the province’s overall response to COVID-19, like
the SARS Commission, as there are many lessons to be learned from this experience beyond the long-term care sector.

To be clear, the Ontario Health Coalition called for the commission into long-term care to be under the Public Inquiry
Act. You have voted against this in the Legislature. Failing that, Premier, we must state in the clearest possible terms
that it will be unacceptable to the public if the commissioner(s) and any supporting staff are not fully independent of
long-term care operators. Any long-term care commission must have unimpeachable credibility and operate in the
public interest. This means it cannot be led or controlled by any partisan (political party) interests or by long-term care
owners and operators. It must be transparent and open, not by invitation only. Access to the Commission must be
equitable and it must allow for voices from families, residents, staff and their associations and unions, public interest
groups and advocates who have worked closely on these issues. Care workers and professionals must be protected to
speak on the record about conditions in the homes. Testimony and research must be on the record and fully available
publicly as with formal commissions and inquiries in the past, and the commission must report as quickly as possible.

Further, this commission cannot delay immediate action being taken to stabilize and support the workforce to stop
the COVID-19 outbreaks that continue to spread in long-term care homes across significant parts of Ontario. We need
a coherent plan from your government to stop the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care and retirement homes,
including concrete measures to improve PPE supply, workplace safety and infection control, and to stabilize the
workforce. We urgently need your government to take leadership and concrete coordination measures to immediately
address critical staffing shortages that mean even basic daily care like feeding, bathing, hygiene, human contact are
not able to be done; that palliative care needs are not being met; that care for the gravely ill is less than what is
needed, as follows

Open letter to doug ford re ltc commission

hi all

here are the addresses and emails of our elected officials

member of provincial parliament – Thunder Bay – Superior North
Michael Gravelle
179 South Algoma Street
Thunder Bay, ON
P7B 3C1
mgravelle.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

member of provincial parliament – Thunder Bay – Atikokan
Judith Monteith-Farrell
409 George Street
Thunder Bay, ON
P7E 5Y9
JMonteith-Farrell-CO@ndp.on.ca

Hon. Doug Ford, Premier – doug.fordco@pc.ola.org

Hon. Christine Elliott, Minister of Health – christine.elliott@pc.ola.org

Hon. Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour – monte.mcnaughtonco@pc.ola.org

Given the situation with regard to the spread of COVID-19 across Canada, and the uncertainty over the coming weeks and months, it would be inappropriate to hold our traditional Steps for Life – Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy events as community gatherings. Therefore, Threads of Life has made the decision to alter our Steps for Life plan to ensure the health and safety of all participants, volunteers and staff.

We will be encouraging all of our participants to hold their personal Steps for Life event/walk. Perhaps that means a solo walk in the woods, a ride on an exercise bike, doing yoga, or it may mean a small family or team get-together — provided you can maintain safe social distancing. We are excited to see all of the different ways our participants display their support. We will seek out additional ways to profile and recognize our community sponsors.

As a partner with Threads of Life, you are vital to our work.Our programs are available to our families at no cost and this is only possible through your generous support.Threads of Life continues to grow; we are currently providing our support programs to over 2,900 family members across the country. We hope you will continue to support the families of Threads of Life and our efforts to create awareness of prevention. However, if you are unable, and require a refund of your Steps for Life sponsorship contribution, please let me know.

On behalf of the families we serve, thank you for your ongoing support. Together we are achieving Threads of Life’s mission:

To help families heal through a community of support and to promote the elimination of life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths.

Thank you Heather Bouley – Heather represented COPE Local 96 at the Remembrance Day Services

it’s that time of year again – get your tickets from your executive

the COPE Local 96 Christmas Social
Tuesday December 10, 2019
Columbus Centre
301 May Street South

Tickets will be available in early November

Cope Xmas Ticket Poster size

just an FYI, the COPE locals will have a tent and will be giving away swag at this event

hope to see you there

LABOUR DAY PICNIC POSTER 2019

Dear OFL Members,

The OFL is proud to be joined in partnership by American Income Life (AIL) Canada in calling for applications
for the annual OFL/AIL Labour Post-Secondary Scholarships.

Two OFL members, or the children of members, will be selected from a pool of applicants to each receive a
scholarship in the amount of $2,500 to support them as they enter their first year of full-time post-secondary
study in September 2019. The scholarships will be awarded in honour of distinguished trade union activists who
have made a significant contribution to the life and growth of the labour movement in Ontario.

Eligible candidates must:
• Be a current member, or the child of a member, of a local union affiliated to the OFL;
• Be enrolled for September 2019 to enter their first year of full-time study (leading to a diploma or
certificate) at a public Ontario community college or the first year of an undergraduate program (leading
to a degree) at a publicly funded Ontario university;
• Not have any prior post-secondary studies; and
• Be currently enrolled or not more than two years out of secondary school.

OFL-AIL-Scholarship-Form-2019