New laws, regulations now effect in Ontario, affecting child-care operators and tow truck industry among others

As of New Year’s Day, there are several new laws and regulations now in effect across Ontario.

One of them requires all daycare operators to come up with a policy outlining how they plan to monitor the arrival of children, or when they do not arrive or are not picked up as anticipated.

The goal is to prevent the deaths of young children who are accidentally left in hot cars.

Although safe arrival systems are in places in schools, they previously were not in effect in child-care settings.

Another new regulation now in effect lets Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner slap fines on people or organizations that inappropriately access or share someone’s personal health information.

The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act is also now in effect, creating provincial oversite for the towing industry. CAA says previously, towing services were licensed municipally, which created a confusing patchwork of rules and fees for consumers.

CAA says some of the new rules include the following:

• Every tow truck operator and vehicle storage operator (company owner) must have a Certificate to offer services in the province of Ontario. Every tow truck must clearly display their name and TSSEA certificate number on the truck. You have the right to see a copy of the certificate.
• You have the right to decide who can tow your vehicle and to what location, unless otherwise directed by police.
• Tow truck drivers must obtain consent BEFORE they tow your vehicle. Without signed consent (permission to tow form) the tow operator cannot charge for towing services. Towing consent is not required for membership or roadside assistance type services.
• You must be provided with an invoice BEFORE requesting payment and a receipt upon payment. This is not required for membership or roadside assistance type services.
• Rates cannot exceed the maximum rates published with the Ministry of Transportation.
• Referrals to a business, facility or person can only be given if requested. Tow truck drivers and operators MUST disclose any benefit they receive for providing referrals to a person, business or facility.
• Multiple payment methods must be accepted (cash, cheque, credit card, debit).
• Towed vehicles must be transported via the most direct route. The vehicle owner must be notified by the tow operator or tow truck driver if taken to a different location from the one the vehicle owner specified.
• Customers must be allowed to retrieve personal property from towed vehicles with no charge. Storage operators must allow authorized persons access to retrieve personal items from vehicles during business hours or prearranged times.
• Tow operators must ensure every driver employed complies with TSSEA regulations and the Highway Traffic Act and its regulations.

The regulations will continue to be implemented as the roll out in the coming months and the final phase of regulations will take effect beginning in July.