ONTARIO -- The passing of Doug Ford’s Keeping Ontario Open for Business Act, 2022, increases protection at international border crossings from unlawful obstructions that disrupt the economy or interfere with public safety.
“The passage of this legislation shows the world that Ontario is open for business and will stay open for business,” said Premier Doug Ford. “International trade is a vital lifeline for our economy, which is why we took action to protect our borders from future illegal disruptions so people can keep working, goods can keep moving, and businesses can keep producing.”
The Keeping Ontario Open for Business Act makes it illegal to obstruct specific transportation infrastructures, such as international bridges, airports, and border crossings, if the blockage interferes with economic activity and the public’s safety, health, or well-being.
The legislation is a result of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that Ontario declared on Feb. 11, 2022, which provided police with temporary powers needed to address the situation of the “Freedom Convoy” protest that unlawfully blockaded the streets of downtown Ottawa disruption had a lasting impact on the economic supply chain of goods and services.
"Efficient and reliable cross-border trade infrastructure is critical to the automotive industry and the tens of thousands of people it employs in Ontario. We support the Ontario government’s efforts to ensure that international border crossings are protected from future disruptions," said Brian Kingston, President and CEO, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association.
The act grants police officers the power to remove and impound objects, including a vehicle, for 30 days and distribute a maximum punishment for breaching any offence under the new legislation, except a failure to identify oneself, which is one-year imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000 for an individual. Directors and officers of corporations can face up to $500,000 in fines or up to one-year imprisonment, or both. Corporations can face up to $10,000,000 in fines, and failure to comply with the proposed requirement to identify oneself would result in a fine of up to $5,000.
The legislation also provides the authority for police to impose a roadside suspension of driver's licences and vehicle permits or seize licence plates for 14 days when a vehicle is used in an illegal blockade of protected transportation infrastructure.
If convicted of violating the new legislation, vehicle licence and permit renewal can be denied until all fines for the offence are paid in full.
“Safe and open international border crossings tie Ontario to the world and support hundreds of millions of dollars worth of trade every day,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “This new legislation gives Ontario the tools we need to protect the livelihoods of workers, manufacturers and job creators across Ontario’s growing economy from any future attempts to block our borders.”
The Ontario government feels that the legislation is essential to reopening Ontario’s economy by enabling the police to respond to future economic disruptions caused by blockages of border infrastructure critical to international trade without declaring an emergency.
