US Edition'Significant Concerns' Raised as Ontario Exempts Training Centres From Municipal and Planning Laws
The new labour bill allows Skills Development Fund-backed training centres to bypass municipal permits, aiming to speed construction amid concerns over accountability and safety, said Ontario auditor general.
- Yesterday, Ontario's government passed a labour bill that exempts qualifying training centres from the Planning Act, allowing SDF capital stream projects to bypass municipal laws despite opposition concerns, passing unanimously.
- After citing a Windsor permitting delay, the Ontario government said exemptions address such delays and boost skilled trades as one-third of tradespeople retire to meet a $201-billion plan, spokesperson Michel Figueredo said.
- Auditor general findings show last month that the $2.5-billion SDF training stream lacked fairness and transparency, but the audit did not examine the SDF capital stream, which the labour minister's office said undergoes third-party due diligence and complies with safety laws.
- AMO warned that expanding exemptions to privately funded training centres raises significant concern, with Robin Jones recently questioning how SDF Capital Stream eligibility justifies bypassing municipal standards.
- Opponents urged proper consultation with planners and warned that NDP Leader Marit Stiles said the government fast-tracked the legislation, skipping public hearings, while Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner called removing oversight reckless.
18 Articles
18 Articles
'Significant concerns' raised as Ontario exempts training centres from municipal and planning laws
Companies and unions building worker training centres using money from Ontario’s embattled Skills Development Fund could soon bypass planning laws, raising “significant concerns” for the province’s municipalities and opposition parties. The government recently passed a labour bill that includes provisions to exempt the centres from the Planning Act, saying they are key to its strategy […]
Ontario exempting training centres from municipal and planning laws
TORONTO — Companies and unions building worker training centres using money from Ontario's embattled Skills Development Fund could soon bypass planning laws, raising "significant concerns" for the province's municipalities and opposition parties.
Ontario exempting training centres from municipal and planning laws
TORONTO — Companies and unions building worker training centres using money from Ontario's embattled Skills Development Fund could soon bypass planning laws, raising "significant concerns" for the province's municipalities and opposition parties.
Ontario exempting training centres from municipal and planning laws
TORONTO — Companies and unions building worker training centres using money from Ontario's embattled Skills Development Fund could soon bypass planning laws, raising "significant concerns" for the province's municipalities and opposition parties.
Ontario exempting training centres from municipal and planning laws
TORONTO — Companies and unions building worker training centres using money from Ontario's embattled Skills Development Fund could soon bypass planning laws, raising "significant concerns" for the province's municipalities and opposition parties.
Ontario exempting training centres from municipal and planning laws
TORONTO — Companies and unions building worker training centres using money from Ontario's embattled Skills Development Fund could soon bypass planning laws, raising "significant concerns" for the province's municipalities and opposition parties.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 92% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
