Attention fellow Canadians! Did you know that there were a number of new laws that went into effect on January 1, 2016? Take a look at some of the biggest changes that have happened so far this year:
Tax Breaks for Winter Tires in Ontario
Thanks to a new legislation from the Liberal government, insurance companies now have to offer some sort of discount to drivers who install winter tires on all four wheels of their car.
Pedestrians Have More Protection
Previous laws stated that motorists had the right to pass crossovers and school crossings as long as pedestrians were not in the path of their car. Now, however, drivers have to yield the entire road to pedestrians and wait until they’ve completely crossed to the other side of the street before going ahead. Otherwise they could be fined $150 to $500.
Higher Distracted Driving Penalties for Alberta
Speaking of new driving laws, Alberta drivers will face tougher penalties if they’re caught using a cell phone. Distracted drivers can now face a maximum penalty of three demerit points and a fine of $287.
New Dress Codes for Montreal Cabbies
Thanks to a new law passed by city council, Montreal cab drivers will have to wear dark pants or shorts and a white shirt when they’re on the clock.
Employee Coverage for PTSD in Manitoba
Manitoba now recognizes PTSD as a work-related illness, so employees can access coverage for it through the Workers Compensation Board. Best of all, this new legislation applies to all workers in the province, meaning that nurses and retail workers can seek the same coverage as firefighters and first responders.
No Flavoured Tobacco Sales in New Brunswick
New Brunswick has banned selling flavoured tobacco products outright this year. Residents under the age of 19 are also prohibited from purchasing e-cigarettes and e-juices.
The Ontario government was planning on banning vaping and using e-cigarettes in public this year, however announced later that the ban would be delayed. Like New Brunswick, you can’t purchase e-cigarettes in Ontario unless you’re 19 or older. But there are no restrictions (yet) on where adults can use them in Ontario.
Understanding and being aware of new legislation as it comes into play in your province is important for every citizen, especially those who are law professionals. Did you know that LexisNexis has a Quicklaw program that provides legal research tools and comprehensive resources at your fingertips? Whether you’re looking over new laws or want to learn more about past court decisions and legislations, LexisNexis Quicklaw program provides tailored content and full-text court decisions dating back as far as the 1800s. Plus, it also offers secondary content, the opportunity to seek validation for the authority of your case, and a Canadian legal terminology dictionary that you can search for the meaning of Canadian law words and phrases.
Visit the LexisNexis website to learn more about this program and how it can help your legal research needs.
Article imagery thanks to Boom 97.3
