Naloxone Kits, Northern Fire Services Municipal Reimbursement, IESO Long-Term RFP and AMO/LAS Energy Symposium

Proposed OHSA Amendments to Require Naloxone Kits in Workplaces

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is currently accepting comments on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) that would require naloxone kits in workplaces. This amendment is part of Bill 88, Working for Workers Act, 2022.

The proposal, if accepted, would require an employer who becomes aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that there may be a risk of a worker having an opioid overdose at a workplace, where that worker performs work for the employer, to provide a naloxone kit in that workplace. The employer would be required to maintain the naloxone kit in good condition and to ensure that at any time there are workers in the workplace, the naloxone kit is in the charge of a worker who works in the vicinity of the kit and has received training on recognizing an opioid overdose, administering naloxone, and any hazards related to its administration.

Municipal governments will likely fall under this legislation as employers. Many municipal staff and municipally funded services already have naloxone kits. Comments on the proposed amendments are due by March 29^th, 2022.

Municipal Reimbursement for Northern Fire Services

On March 19th, the province announced a new program through the Northern Fire Protection Program to reimburse municipalities that provide protection services in unincorporated areas. The funds will help northern municipalities recover costs associated with responses into areas without fire protection services such as search and rescue, medical, motor vehicle collision, and property fires that are not covered by any other funding agreements.

The program will be administered by Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal. AMO welcomes this new funding which will help to ensure fire protection services for unincorporated areas and reduce unanticipated budgetary impacts for northern Ontario fire services.

Community Engagement for IESO Long-Term Request for Proposal & Call for Nominations to the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC)

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has launched a Long-Term Request for Proposal (LT RFP) for new and expanded facilities to meet Ontario’s emerging reliability needs. As part of this process, IESO launched its Community Engagement Plan on March 18, 2022. The plan outlines how IESO will engage municipalities and Indigenous communities as well as other interested parties. The first information session for municipalities and Indigenous communities is scheduled for April 12, 2022. To register, click here.

On March 17, 2022, the IESO initiated a new call for Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) nominations to represent the Ontario communities’ constituency, specifically targeting a municipal representative. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, April 14th at engagement@ieso.ca.

Register Now for the Upcoming AMO/LAS Municipal Energy Symposium

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and Local Authority Services (LAS) are excited to present the only event focused on opportunities for the municipal sector to address climate change and energy consumption through innovations in municipal services.

Dr. Sarah Burch, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo and Executive Director of the University’s Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC3), will open the symposium with an examination of what COP26 means to municipal governments, providing examples of strategies and innovations some municipalities are undertaking to address climate change.

The Symposium is scheduled for the mornings of March 31^st and April 1^st, 2022. For more information and to register, please click here.