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Bill 47 employment law changes spell relief for Ontario businesses

When former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government tabled and eventually passed Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, employers were stunned by the scope of the employment standards changes contained in the legislation. The bill would not only increase the minimum wage by 30 per cent in just two years. The sweeping […]

Ontario budget 2018 offers little to entrepreneurs in lead-up to June election

The Ontario Liberal party under Premier Kathleen Wynne is locked in a desperate fight for its political life as the Grits seek re-election in June. Not surprisingly, the 2018 provincial budget showers goodies on virtually every constituency from parents with small children (proposed free childcare for children between the ages of two-and-a-half until they enter […]

Ontario’s Bill 148 is now law. Here’s how it could impact your business

A new package of labour and employment law reforms in Ontario is poised to potentially impact the competitiveness and the viability of small and medium-sized businesses across the province. Bill 148, The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, became law this week, and introduced a range of new amendments designed to modernize the province’s Employment […]

Ontario offers small business owners a tax cut in fall economic statement

Small business owners in Ontario are getting a break on their taxes. This week Minister of Finance Charles Sousa delivered a fall economic statement that will lower the corporate small business income tax rate on the first $500,000 of business income to 3.5 per cent from 4.5 per cent, by January 1, 2018. The change […]

Ontario to hike Land Transfer Tax on some residential, commercial properties

Buying a residential or commercial property in Ontario is about to get more expensive. The Government of Ontario recently announced plans to hike land transfer tax (LTT) rates across the province, effective Jan. 1, 2017. As part of those changes, the LTT rate on any portion of the sale value of a single-family residence exceeding […]

2016 Ontario Budget Commentary

  On February 25, 2016 Finance Minister Charles Sousa tabled his fourth Budget. The deficit for the 2015-16 fiscal year is projected to be $5.7 billion, which is $2.8 billion less than forecasted in the 2015 Budget. The deficit is projected to drop to $4.3 billion for 2016-17 and to be eliminated by 2017-18. Furthermore, […]