Bills next week: t'will be the week before Christmas break

On the week before Christmas, all through the House,
members will bicker and heckle and grouse.

Legislation, all laid on the table with care,
in hopes that high poll numbers soon will be there —

up next for debate is Bill 36,
Bethlenfalvy's inflated economy fix,

and Bill 51, a sly little sneaker
from Paul "Santa" Calandra that weakens the Speaker,

and Bill 39, so let's say some prayers
for one-third of councillors and super-strong mayors.

From our hearts to yours, each beloved MPP,
we share in your love of democracy.

We hope you'll enjoy a well-deserved break
and come back well-rested, for Ontario's sake.

Upcoming bills (Dec. 5 - Dec. 8, 2022)

Next week is the last before MPPs rise for the winter break. Government House Leader Paul Calandra told members that they'll be debating Bill 51, the Legislative Assembly Amendment Act, and Bill 36, the Progress on the Plan to Build Act, for most of the week.

Bill 51, from Calandra, would transfer powers that currently rest with the Speaker to the Board of Internal economy, including appointing and dismissing employees of the Office of the Legislative Assembly and control over the legislative precinct.

Bill 36, the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), was introduced by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy and would enact changes the government announced in its fall economic statement (FES), including making slight adjustments to some tax credits and program payments, as well as suspending part of the fuel and gas taxes until the end of 2023.

Bill 39, Minister Steve Clark's Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act, which would expand new "strong mayor" powers to also allow mayors to pass bylaws that the provincial government deems aligned with provincial priorities, will also get air time.

There will be two statements by ministers: Minister Merrilee Fullerton on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and Minister Caroline Mulroney on the modernization of the French-language act.

There will also be a tribute to a former MPP David Rotenberg.

Private members' business coming up (Dec. 5 - Dec. 8, 2022)

Bill 29, Think Twice Before You Choose Natural Gas Act (Ontario Energy Board Amendment), from Liberal MPP Ted Hsu, which would change the section of the Ontario Energy Board Act that makes it energy distributors' obligation to make natural gas connections to consumers to ensure municipalities aren't prevented from imposing conditions on these connections to limit gas emissions-limiting by-laws.

Bill 43, the Making Northern Ontario Highways Safer Act, from NDP MPP Guy Bourgouin, which would set out the time within which snow must be removed from each class of highway after each snowfall.

Bills at committees (Dec. 5 - Dec. 8, 2022)

The Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy will hold clause-by-clause consideration of  Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act.

Bills last week (Nov. 28 - Dec. 1, 2022)

Housing Minister Steve Clark's Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, passed third reading and received royal assent. It's an omnibus housing bill that would make significant changes to how homes are approved in Ontario, where they can be built, and what kind of homes can be built where.

On Thursday, they'll focus on Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop's Bill 26, the Strengthening Post-secondary Institutions and Students Act, which would give colleges and universities more tools to protect students against sexual misconduct from faculty or staff and formalize the name change for Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly known as Ryerson University, was carried at the third-reading.

Bill 46, the Less Red Tape, Stronger Ontario Act, an omnibus bill that loosens provincial rules in a variety of sectors, including veterinary services, the justice system, cattle farming, and oil and gas production. It comes from the minister of Red Tape Reduction himself, Parm Gill, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

Peggy Sattler's Bill 4, the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act, was defeated at second reading.

And Bill 51, Calandra's Legislative Assembly Amendment Act, was tabled.

So were many private member's bills:

• Bill 49, Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission Act, from NDP MPP Bhutila Karpoche, which would establish an Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission.
• Bill 50, Building Better Business Outcomes Act, from Liberal MPP Stephanie Bowman, which would require publicly traded  companies to adopt public policies respecting the director nomination process that provides for the identification of candidates who belong to one or more of the following groups: women, persons who are Black, Indigenous or racialized, persons with disabilities and persons who are LGBTQ+.
• Bill 52, the Public Health Accountability Act (In Honour of Dr. Sheela Basrur), was re-introduced by two NDP MPPs. It would make Chief Medical Officer of Health an officer of the Assembly.
• NDP MPP Bhutila Karpoche introduced Bill 53, the Right to Timely Mental Health and Addiction Care for Children and Youth Act, which would require the government to ensure people under 26 years old have access to the mental health or addiction service they need within 30 days.