Markham-Stouffville Community Update for February 25, 2022

Welcome to the Markham-Stouffville
Community Update for February 25, 2022

Ontario Eliminating Licence Plate Renewal Fees and Stickers

The Ontario government is making life more affordable and convenient for over eight million vehicle owners by eliminating licence plate renewal fees and the requirement to have a licence plate sticker for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds, effective March 13, 2022.

The government is introducing red tape legislation that would enable the province to refund eligible individual owners of vehicles for any licence plate renewal fees paid since March 2020. Upon passage, vehicle owners will receive a cheque in the mail starting at the end of March and throughout the month of April.

To receive a refund cheque, vehicle owners who have moved recently will need to update their address information on their vehicle permit or driver’s licence at Ontario.ca/AddressChange by March 7, 2022, and pay any outstanding fees, fines or tolls. For more information and/or assistance with changing an address, vehicles owners can call ServiceOntario’s dedicated line at 1-888-333-0049.

Learn more: Ontario Eliminating Licence Plate Renewal Fees and Stickers | Ontario Newsroom 

Fewer Fees, Better Services Act
The Ontario government continues its work to make Ontario the first choice for families and businesses ready to invest with the introduction of this year’s red tape reduction package, the Fewer Fees, Better Services Act, 2022.

The transformative actions taken by this government to date, have resulted in almost $400 million in net annual savings to businesses. If passed, this act will further support businesses and entrepreneurs, ease financial burdens on people and remove overly complex processes that only serve to frustrate and thwart investment.

Some of the proposed changes in the Act include:

  • Cutting costs for millions of Ontario vehicle owners by refunding license plate sticker renewal fees paid since March 1, 2020.
  • Establishing a single window for business services, which will require service standard guarantees so businesses can track the information they need from the government.
  • Helping to level the playing field for Ontario businesses by changing the government’s approach to procurement. The change will strengthen the province’s supply chain and help domestic businesses grow and create good-paying jobs.
  • Providing more flexibility related to provincial assets by creating a Centre of Realty Excellence. This holistic approach across all government-owned properties will ensure priority surplus properties align with key programs, including affordable housing and long-term care.
  • Giving commuters a break by removing tolls from Highways 412 and 418. This response particularly to requests from municipal leaders and Indigenous communities in Durham Region.
The Ontario government is also proposing to amend the Fiscal Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability Act (FSTAA) to extend the deadline to release the 2022 Budget from March 31, 2022 to April 30, 2022. This would allow the government to introduce the Budget at a time when we can assess the effects of the reopening of the economy and ensure our 2022 Budget best reflects the priorities of the people of Ontario.

Learn more: Ontario’s Newest Red Tape Reduction Act Features Fewer Fees, Better Services | Ontario Newsroom

Ontario Launches ONroute Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Ontario is leveraging our Clean Energy Advantage by advancing the electrification of our transportation system.

The Ontario government is launching EV fast chargers at six ONroute locations, as part of our government’s historic expansion of Ontario’s Electric Vehicle infrastructure.

The deployment of rapid charging infrastructure will see ONroute locations along highways 401 and 400 equipped with at least two EV chargers at each site, with busier sites equipped with more. The EV chargers will be available to all drivers on a pay-per-use basis and will serve all vehicle types.

These chargers will further encourage the electrification of the transportation sector in Ontario by making EV charging more accessible, and as the EV population grows more chargers may be added at each site. The electrification of the province’s vehicles will continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by shifting away from gas-powered vehicles and utilizing Ontario’s clean electricity supply, one that is more than 90% emissions-free.

Learn more: Ontario Launches ONroute Electric Vehicle Charging Stations | Ontario Newsroom

Ontario Requiring Employers to Disclose Electronic Monitoring
Today, employers have more means than ever before to monitor where their workers are and what they are doing. Whether you are a delivery person followed by GPS, a construction worker using a company phone or an office worker logging in from home, you deserve to know if and how you are being tracked.

For Ontario to continue to lead the future of work, we must break new ground on protecting the privacy of workers while on the job. That’s why the Ontario government plans to introduce new legislation later this month that, if passed, would require employers with 25 or more workers to establish policies on how they are electronically monitoring their workers.

This proposal is part of new legislation the government intends to introduce this winter. It builds on our bold actions in the first Working for Workers bill. We are continuing to ensure Ontario is the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Learn more: Ontario Requiring Employers to Disclose Electronic Monitoring | Ontario Newsroom

Constituency Office Services
My constituency office is here to serve you. We offer assistance for various provincial government services such as the renewal of Driver’s Licences, Health Cards, WSIB claims, ODSP/FRO cases, and any other service under provincial jurisdiction.

Due to the risk of COVID-19, our office is currently working remotely. Our staff remains avaliable to respond to your inquiries via phone or email. Should you require any assistance, please email paul.calandra@pc.ola.org or call 905-642-2588. We will endeavour to respond as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

To reduce in-person visits to ServiceOntario, a number of provincially-issued documents have extended expiry dates. Please click here for further information and to confirm the revised expiry date for your product or identity document.