TORONTO —
As we usher in another decade, a number of new laws and rules will come into effect in 2020 that may have an impact on your way of life. That includes changes to federal divorce laws, as well as cannabis and vaping regulations in some provinces.
For Canadians in the lower income brackets, the changes could result in tax savings of up to $140 in 2020. For those earning more than $150,473 annually, those savings will be clawed back or not offered at all.
Also starting on Jan. 1, the employment insurance premiums for individual workers and employees will slightly decrease. The maximum annual EI contribution for a worker will fall by $3.86 to $856.36 and employers’ maximum contribution will fall $5.41 to $1,198.90 per employee.
Changes to the Divorce Act
Federal laws related to divorce proceedings and family orders were amended with the passage of Bill C-78, with the majority of changes to the Divorce Act coming into effect on July 1, 2020.
The changes include updated criteria to determine a child’s best interests in custody cases, as well as measures to address family violence when making parenting arrangements.
The changes also aim to make the family justice system “more accessible and affordable” for everyone involved.
The Divorce Act applies to married couples who are divorcing, while provincial and territorial legislation applies to all other spousal separations, including those involving unmarried and common-law couples.
The changes to the legislation were developed with input from the Assembly of First Nations and experts across the country, and AFN says the new rules are “consistent” with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Minimum wage increase
As of June 1, 2020, the minimum wage in the province will increase to $14.60 per hour, from the current hourly rate of $13.85. In June 2021, the minimum wage is expected to increase to $15.20 per hour.
Among the new rules: the provincial sales tax on vaping products will increase significantly on Jan. 1, from seven to 20 per cent.
No more health-care premiums
B.C. is eliminating the provincial health-care premiums for its residents as of Jan. 1. The government says the elimination of the Medical Service Plan premiums will save individuals up to $900 and families up to $1,800 per year.
ALBERTA
New carbon tax
The federal government will start imposing its carbon tax on Alberta on Jan. 1. Albertans will pay $20 per tonne of CO2 until April 2020, when the price will rise to $30 per tonne.
This means that Albertans will now be eligible for the carbon tax rebate when they file their income taxes. The rebate amounts will be as follows:
Single adult or first adult in a couple: $444
Second adult in a couple or first child of a single parent: $222
The Matrimonial Property Act will be amended to apply to both “adult interdependent partners” and legally married spouses. Other changes to the Act include clarifying property division rules and when couples can enter into property ownership and division agreements.
Fines for first-time offenders will more than double from the current $280to $580. A conviction will also cost the driver four demerit points.
A second distracted driving offence within the same year will cost $1,400, four demerits and an immediate week-long vehicle seizure. A third offence within the same year will cost the driver $2,100.
Changes to federal carbon tax rebates
The federal government has adjusted the carbon tax rebates for residents of provinces that have not adopted their own carbon pricing models. For Saskatchewan, the 2020 rebates, which must be claimed on the 2019 income tax returns, are as follows:
Single adult or first adult in a couple: $405
Second adult in a couple or first child of a single parent: $202
Each child under 18: $101
Baseline amount for a family of four: $809
MANITOBA
Changes to federal carbon tax rebates
For Manitoba residents, the 2020 federal carbon tax rebates, which must be claimed on 2019 income tax returns, are as follows:
Single adult or first adult in a couple: $243
Second adult in a couple or first child of a single parent: $121
Each child under 18: $61
Baseline amount for a family of four: $486
ONTARIO
No more out-of-country health insurance coverage
The Ontario government’s move to scrap its out-of-country health insurance takes effect on Jan. 1. This means that Ontarians who fall ill while travelling can no longer claim the $400-a-day maximum coverage for inpatient emergency care and the $50-a-day maximum allowed for emergency outpatient services (such as an MRI or a CAT scan) that, until now, were provided by OHIP.
The provincial government has defended its decision by saying that the OHIP coverage was minimal and “inefficient,” given the high cost of medical care abroad – and especially in the United States — that usually requires private travel insurance.
E-scooters on roads
As part of a five-year pilot project, the Ontario government will let municipalities decide whether to allow e-scooters on their roads.
Operating e-scooters is currently only allowed on private property in the province.
On Jan. 1, Ontario will ban the promotion of vaping products in convenience stores and gas stations, in response to growing concerns about the health effects of vaping on young people.
The province will still allow vaping to be promoted in specialty stores and cannabis shops, which are only open to those aged 19 and older.
Dogs on restaurant patios
Starting Jan. 1., Ontario will give restaurants and bars the option to allow dogs on their patios, in areas where “low-risk foods” (such as pre-packaged snacks and beer) are served. The move is part of a slew of changes enacted by the passage of Bill 132, also known as the Better for People, Smarter for Business Act.
Changes to federal carbon tax rebates
For Ontario residents, the 2020 federal carbon tax rebates, which must be claimed on 2019 income tax returns, are as follows:
Single adult or first adult in a couple: $224
Second adult in a couple or first child of a single parent: $112
Each child under 18: $56
Baseline amount for a family of four: $448
QUEBEC
Legal age for cannabis
As of Jan. 1, the minimum legal age to possess or purchase cannabis in Quebec will be raised to 21. That will make it the highest legal age to purchase cannabis in Canada, compared to a legal age of 19 in the majority of the country.
‘Values test’ for immigrants
Starting on Jan. 1, economic immigrants who want to settle in Quebec will have to pass the province’s controversial “values test.” The test will include questions about secularism in Quebec, religious symbols, same-sex marriage and gender rights.
The test will not apply to newcomers who are refugees or arriving in Canada via family reunification programs, since they come under the federal government’s jurisdiction.
NEW BRUNSWICK
No more annual motor vehicle inspections
As of Jan 1., the province will no longer require drivers to get their personal vehicles inspected every year. Instead, the inspections will be required every two years. The cost of inspecting a vehicle will also go up, from $35 to $45.
NOVA SCOTIA
Changes to income assistance
On Jan. 1, the province will implement changes that will increase the amount of money people on income assistance receive. The increase will vary from two to five per cent, depending on the recipient’s living situation and family size.
The change is a result of a new “Standard Household Rate” that replaces personal and shelter allowances for people on income assistance.
Plastic bag ban
Nova Scotia will join several other provinces in banning most single-use plastic bags at store checkouts next fall. Retailers will still be allowed to use the bags for live fish and bulk items, and there will also be exemptions for food banks and charities.
The province will join Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in banning retail plastic bags. While no exact date of enforcement has been set for the ban, the provincial government says that, by mid-2020, shoppers should bring their own reusable bags to grocery stores and other retailers.
New rules to address workplace harassment
The province’s expanded regulations regarding workplace harassment take effect Jan. 1. The changes include new training requirements for employers and employees, as well as “a secure and confidential means” for employees to file harassment complaints.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
