A new year brings a lot of new laws and regulations in Ontario.
The amount of money you can fight for through Small Claims Court increases from $25,000 to $35,000. It’s one of many pieces of legislation that went into effect on New Year’s Day.
There’s new energy efficient standards for new walk-in coolers, ceiling fans and street lights.
New emission testing standards for heavy diesel commercial motor vehicles are now in effect. The province has also clarified the laws against tampering with vehicle emissions systems.
Taxes on estates $50,000 or less have been eliminated while the tax on larger estates has been lowered by $250. Small businesses are paying lower corporate taxes.
Indigenous people no longer need to show an Ontario Gas Card for a discount at the pumps. Their federal status card is now an acceptable form of ID for that discount.
Some food services such as soup kitchens and school snack programs are now exempt from certain food handling requirements, restaurants and banquet halls must follow.
And vaping products will no longer be promoted in non-specialty stores, such as convenience stores and gas stations.
Expect to pay more for hunting and fishing licenses in the future. Any future increase will now be based on inflation. The revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licences will also go into special funding to cover the cost of stocking programs, research and enforcement.
A new Animal Welfare Services Act comes into effect which includes the right for authorities to enter vehicles to rescue pets in distress in extreme weather conditions.
Small commercial trucks from the US will no longer need a trip permit to travel into Ontario.
