Proposed Regulatory Amendments to the Modernizing Ontario for People and Businesses Act, 2020
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 555/20
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Modernizing Ontario for People and Businesses Act, 2020
Summary of Proposal:
Ontario's complex regulatory environment continues to hinder competitiveness by driving up costs for business. The Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade's (MEDJCT) Red Tape Reduction and Small Business (RTRSB) is working with government ministries to lower business costs and help stimulate productivity and growth by removing unnecessary burdens.
The proposed amendments are designed to support the burden reduction and regulatory modernization work ministries are undertaking to boost Ontario's competitiveness and keep good jobs in the province, while also maintaining or enhancing policies that protect our environment and keep us safe and healthy. This work is even more important as businesses work to survive and recover during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposed regulatory amendments to O. Reg. 555/20 under MOPBA are detailed below.

Making the RIA more publicly available

MEDJCT is proposing that ministries be required to publish both benefits and all associated costs (administrative costs as well as other types of direct compliance costs).

Addition of Two New Offsetting Exemption Categories
- If offsetting would cause a ministry undue hardship; and
- If a proposal is related to urgent matters affect health, safety or the environment.

Aligning the Regulatory Requirements with the New Legislative Requirements: Updating Offsetting Requirements

Legislative amendments were introduced in April 2021, which set out the framework for enhanced offsetting requirements. These changes would update the offsetting requirements and require ministries to offset all direct compliance costs created by new government requirements with direct compliance costs.
Please attached documents for additional details on all proposed regulatory amendments.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
Costs
The proposed regulatory amendments are applicable only to ministries within the Ontario government and will impose no compliance costs on for-profit corporations, not-for-profit organizations, or the broader public sector.

The proposed regulatory amendments are also not expected to result in any additional costs to government. Individual ministries would be responsible for implementing the new requirements (e.g., making, calculating and identifying new offsetting requirements). While the proposed amendments may require some additional staff time in affected ministries, each ministry will be expected to handle any additional costs within existing allocations.

Benefits
The proposed amendments are designed to help reduce regulatory burden in Ontario, making it easier for businesses and not-for-profit organizations alike to succeed and help Ontario become more competitive. They are also intended to support more effective, transparent and accountable regulatory processes.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
21-MEDJCT013
Posting Date:
April 30, 2021
Comments Due Date:
May 17, 2021
Contact Address:
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Policy Planning and Development Unit
2 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 3G7