Elevator availability and safety regulations have been a hot topic in Ontario for the last few months. Here is an update to last months article on the
Ontario Government’s Elevator Availability Action Plan in Response to TSSA Report. On February 22, 2018, the Minister of Government and Consumer Services, the Honourable Tracy MacCharles, introduced Bill 199, Access to Consumer Credit Reports and Elevator Availability Act, 2018, in the Ontario legislature. The bill aims to improve the public’s access to elevators.
Here are 10 facts you need to know about Bill 199, Access to Consumer Credit Reports and Elevator Availability Act, 2018:
1.The Bill amends the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000
2. It introduces administrative penalties
3. It introduces a new TSSA occupation referred to as an “Assessor”
4. The Assessor is empowered to impose penalties to individuals or corporations
5. Administrative penalties to an individual cannot exceed $10,000
6. No hearing is required before issuing an order by the Assessor
7. The Act is now directed to establish a governing standard for elevator availability
8. Defining outages and time requirements
9. Requiring TSSA to establish a database
10. Offences Subsection 37 repealed and up to $1,000,000 fine for a body corporate
Bill 199 went to first reading on February 22, 2018 so it’s now a waiting game to see what progress can be made in the next few weeks. With The House having a March break and an Easter break, it is not likely that the Bill will move forward anytime soon.
The proposed changes to the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, outlined in the province’s elevator availability action plan, would make Ontario a world leader with standards for repair timelines and improve the public’s access to elevators. Better enforcement of maintenance rules would also improve public safety.
You can read the bill and follow its progress on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website.
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