David Canton – For the London Free Press – November 21, 2006

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An act to modernize various acts administered by or affecting Ontario’s Ministry of Government Services was introduced for first reading Oct. 19.

The bill proposes amendments to 53 Ontario statutes including the Consumer Protection Act, the Land Registration Reform Act, the Liquor Licence Act, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Business Corporations Act.

The proposed legislation addresses a number of issues important to Ontarians, including real estate fraud. , For example, it seeks to lessen property owners’ risk of losing their home or becoming responsible for fraudulent mortgages.

The proposed legislation would introduce safeguards for suspending and revoking the accounts of suspected real estate fraudsters. Also, it would increase fines for real estate fraud offences from $1,000 to $50,000 and strengthen the government’s authority to allow for notification of property owners about any change to their title.

The proposed legislation also deals with identity theft. The bill amends the Consumer Reporting Act to provide for alerts on consumers’ files.

The bill would give consumers the right to place fraud alerts on their credit reports. It also would place an obligation on credit agencies to disclose the flag when anyone accesses the report and it would force lenders and people who access the report to take reasonable steps to verify the person involved in the transaction is the customer.

Amendments are proposed to deal with gift cards. If passed, the legislation would give the government powers to regulate expiry dates and other issues.

The bill would introduce reforms to Ontario’s liquor laws. A proposed change in the legislation would allow bars and restaurants to expand their licences to let patrons carry drinks with them to separate areas of an establishment, such as the washroom.

The rationale is consumers can monitor their drinks at all times, reducing the likelihood of an unknown substances such as date rape drugs being used to taint their drink.

Corporate and business laws are part of the mix as well.

The proposed changes attempt to improve corporate governance, increase shareholder protection and make businesses more competitive.

One of the amendments to the Ontario Business Corporations Act would reduce the requirement for Canadian resident directors from a majority of directors to 25 per cent.

Also, it would eliminate residency requirements for transacting business at directors’ meetings and for appointing a managing director.

Critics have referred to the modernization bill as the government’s housecleaning bill. They believe by attempting to cover everything, the government does not really deal with the issues concerning Ontarians in any serious way.