Ontario's new laws take effect Canada Day—here's what changes
From tenant air conditioning rights to pharmacist powers, July 1 brings major shifts to rental, healthcare, and insurance rules.
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Ontario residents will see significant changes to rental, healthcare, and auto insurance rules when a slate of new laws take effect Wednesday, July 1.
Tenants gain the explicit right to install air conditioning units if their landlord doesn't provide cooling. The law allows window air conditioners or portable units, subject to certain conditions, arriving in the midst of a brutal heat wave.
Healthcare expansions include lowering the age for publicly funded colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45, and granting pharmacists authority to assess and treat more minor ailments and administer more publicly funded vaccines.
Auto insurance changes let Ontario drivers opt out of some accident benefits to save money short-term, though experts warn this could backfire in a serious crash. Drivers moving to Ontario from jurisdictions without driver's licence exchange agreements must complete a G2 road test and wait at least a year before attempting a full G licence.
Other changes include giving the Ministry of Finance power to use liens, garnishments, and property seizures to pursue unpaid bail debts; allowing some transit special constables to arrest people using drugs on public transit; and preventing registered sex offenders from legally changing their name.
