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Ontario Assembly Bill

Ontario Bill 85

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
May 18, 2023
Building a Strong Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2023
  • This explanatory note provides information about Bill 85, which has been enacted as Chapter 8 of the Statutes of Ontario, 2023. The bill includes amendments to various statutes, including the Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act, the Financial Professionals Title Protection Act, the Fuel Tax Act, the Gasoline Tax Act, the Insurance Act, the Liquor Tax Act, the Ministry of Revenue Act, the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income Act, the Taxation Act, 2007, and the Tobacco Tax Act. The amendments include changes to the calculation of dedicated funding for public transportation, rules governing the use of protected titles for financial professionals, amendments to the Fuel Tax Act and Gasoline Tax Act regarding the definition of fuel and the calculation of distances traveled, changes to the Insurance Act regarding individual variable insurance contracts, amendments to the Liquor Tax Act regarding taxes on beer and wine, provisions for the collection of information from Transport Canada under the Ministry of Revenue Act, changes to the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income Act regarding monthly benefits and automatic indexing, amendments to the Taxation Act, 2007 regarding non-refundable tax credits, penalties for unregistered importers and exporters, and the small business deduction, and changes to the Tobacco Tax Act regarding tear tape and definitions. These amendments have different commencement dates, some of which are retroactive.
  • H1
  • H2
  • H3
  • RA
  • Yea (71)
  • Nay (29)
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • Steelman Argument: The Explanatory Note states that it was written as a reader's aid to Bill 85 and does not form part of the law. This is a positive aspect of the legislation as it provides clarity and transparency to the readers of the bill. By clearly stating that the Explanatory Note is not part of the law, it ensures that readers do not confuse it with the actual legislation and understand that it is only meant to provide additional information and context. Furthermore, the Explanatory Note provides a summary of the amendments made to various statutes through the different schedules of Bill 85. This is beneficial as it allows readers to quickly understand the changes being made and the impact they will have on the respective statutes. It saves time and effort for those who are interested in the specific amendments and want to have a clear understanding of the changes without having to go through the entire bill. In addition, the inclusion of schedules in the bill, such as Schedule 1, which amends the Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act, 2013, and Schedule 4, which amends the Gasoline Tax Act, shows that the government is taking steps to address important issues related to public transportation and fuel taxation. These amendments can potentially lead to improved funding for public transportation and more efficient taxation policies, which can have positive impacts on the environment and the overall transportation system in Ontario. Overall, the inclusion of the Explanatory Note and the schedules in Bill 85 demonstrates the government's commitment to transparency, clarity, and addressing important issues through legislative amendments. It provides readers with a clear understanding of the changes being made and the potential benefits they can bring.

SteelmanSpren Against

  • Opposing Argument: The Building a Strong Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2023, specifically Bill 85, includes various amendments to existing statutes that have significant implications for taxpayers and businesses in Ontario. While the government claims that these amendments are necessary for the betterment of the province, there are several concerns that need to be addressed. Firstly, the amendments to the Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act, 2013, and the Fuel Tax Act increase the tax burden on Ontarians. By calculating the portion of the tax dedicated to public transportation based on the tax rate per litre of gasoline, the government is effectively increasing the tax amount without any consideration for the economic impact on individuals and businesses. This is a clear example of the government's overreach and interference in the free market. Secondly, the amendments to the Gasoline Tax Act and the Fuel Tax Act to exclude hydrogen from the definition of fuel and to impose a tax rate of 0 cents per litre on hydrogen used by interjurisdictional carriers is a misguided attempt to promote certain industries at the expense of others. By singling out hydrogen and providing preferential treatment, the government is distorting the market and creating an unfair advantage for certain businesses. Furthermore, the amendments to the Taxation Act, 2007, including the reduction of the small business deduction for corporations with taxable capital employed in Canada between $10 million and $50 million, and the introduction of the Ontario made manufacturing investment tax credit, are examples of the government picking winners and losers in the economy. These measures are contrary to the principles of free-market capitalism and limited government intervention. Lastly, the amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act, including the repeal of provisions related to tear tape and the French language amendments, are unnecessary and burdensome regulations that only serve to increase compliance costs for businesses. These amendments do not provide any tangible benefits to taxpayers or the economy. In conclusion, the amendments proposed in Bill 85 of the Building a Strong Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2023, are misguided and detrimental to the principles of limited government, free-market capitalism, and individual liberty. The government should focus on reducing taxes, regulations, and bureaucracy to foster economic growth and prosperity for all Ontarians.
Royal Assent
  • May 18, 2023, noon
  • Read

Assembly Motion No. 4275

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
May 18, 2023, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 85
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2023, chapter 8
  • Third Reading of Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes.

Assembly Motion No. 4274

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
May 18, 2023, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 85
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2023, chapter 8
  • Motion for closure on the motion for Third Reading of Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes.
Third Reading
  • May 18, 2023, midnight
  • Passed
Second Reading
  • May 10, 2023, midnight
  • Passed

Assembly Motion No. 4304

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
March 30, 2023, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 85
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2023, chapter 8
  • Second Reading of Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes.

Assembly Motion No. 4303

43rd Parl. 1st Sess. (ON)
March 30, 2023, 10:15 a.m.
  • Bill 85
  • Latest: Royal Assent received. Statutes of Ontario 2023, chapter 8
  • Motion for closure on the motion for Second Reading of Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes.
First Reading
  • March 23, 2023, midnight
  • Passed