Bill 46, Bill 10 and Supporting Public Safety Workers

Bill 46, Protect Ontario by Cutting Red Tape Act, 2025

Yesterday, the government tabled its newest red tape reduction bill. The bill and additional communications backgrounder include a number of initiatives of interest to the municipal sector including: 

• Commitment to explore changes to strengthen the Strong Mayor Framework following the recent expansion to 170 more municipalities. 
• Proposed amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001 and City of Toronto Act, 2006 to allow for online posting of annual municipal audited financial statements. 
• Permitting DSSABs to apply for Infrastructure Ontario's Loan Program, a long-supported AMO initiative that will help build more local infrastructure. 
• MAG and MMAH will explore opportunities for Landlord Tenant Board reform to reduce delays and backlogs at the Landlord and Tenant Board.  
• Following Indigenous and stakeholder consultations, phased updates to archaeological assessment standards and guidelines to streamline reporting and shorten review timelines.
• Implementing changes to make it easier for municipalities to establish red light camera programs. 
• Streamlining Community Safety Grant programs to make it easier for small and medium sized police services to access funding for public safety initiatives. 
• Commitment to expect the Canada Disability Benefit from being counted as income for ODSP, Ontario Works, and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities program recipients. AMO has advocated for this action.
• Speeding up permitting to secure land for mine development as well as committing to review the Mining Act mining leases term length.
• Commitment to explore municipally-administered private financing for clean energy projects, a voluntary tool supporting economic and housing growth.
• Committed to tabling a carbon management framework that will accelerate the use of new technologies to reduce industry's carbon footprint.
• Revisions to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act's blue box requirements to cut producer costs (e.g., lower collection targets), improve data collection, and ensure small business collection continues.

Bill 10, Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, Implications for Municipal Landlords

AMO sent a letter to the government and a submission to provide advice about the implementation of Bill 10, Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025, specifically with respect to Schedule 8: Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025. Bill 10 was passed by the legislature. However, there is an opportunity to support the development of future regulations and guidance materials to landlords.
 
The legislation has implications for residential and commercial landlords, including municipalities and District Social Service Administration Boards of community housing, supportive housing and potentially emergency shelters for the homeless. It would hold landlords to account for illegal drug trafficking and production in their buildings.
 
AMO supports increased public safety measures to better protect tenants in buildings addressing illegal and predatory behaviour. However, we want to ensure that are no unintended consequences, no undue burdens and risks to municipal landlords. Further consultation is called for to address these concerns.
 

Warrior Health Digital Portal and Grant Application Now Open

Warrior Health has now launched their digital portal and grant applications. Warrior Health is a partnership between the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Wounded Warriors Canada to provide public safety personnel and their families with specialized services and supports. Warrior Health includes free core services and fee-for-service programs that public safety organizations can purchase. Grant applications are now open until June 27. Please email mh.secretariat@ontario.ca if you have any questions.

Learn more about Warrior Health at the AMO Conference where Matthew Pegg, Warrior Health’s COO will be featured as part of a plenary session on Innovative Approaches to Supporting Mental Health, Addictions and Supportive Housing.