Multiple new laws and regulations in Ontario are set to take effect next month that will impact local workers as well as residents across the country before the year comes to an end. 

The federal government and the Ontario government will both be introducing new rules this December, and here are some of the ones that you should be aware of. 

GST/HST Relief 

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a two-month GST relief on groceries and a $250 rebate for some Canadians ahead of the costly holiday season. 

The temporary tax break will apply to a number of essential items, including childcare products, as well as beer, wine, cider, groceries, books, Christmas trees, and decorative items for the holidays. The GST cuts will also apply to restaurant meals and takeout. 

The tax break will begin on Dec. 14 and come to an end on Feb. 15. The federal government estimates that removing the GST from qualifying foods for two months will provide $1.6 billion in federal tax relief. 

For example, a family spending $2,000 on qualifying foods, such as children's clothing, shoes, diapers, snacks for the house, or restaurant meals would realize GST savings of $100 over the two-month period. 

In provinces where the HST will also be removed from qualifying goods (which includes Ontario), the same $2,000 basket of qualifying purchases would realize HST savings of $260 over the two months.

"As the holidays approach, families, especially parents are particularly worried. Canadians have been through a lot," said Prime Minister Trudeau. "We've been able to get through the past couple of years, everyone had to tighten their belts a little bit, and now we're going to be able to give a tax break for all Canadians."

The federal government also revealed the new Working Canadians Rebate, which will send Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned up to $150,000 a $250 cheque in April. 

Mortgage reforms 

Back in September, the federal government announced a set of reforms to remove barriers to homeownership, especially for millennials and Gen Z. 

Starting in August, new mortgage rules allowed 30-year insured mortgage amortization for first-time homebuyers purchasing new builds. During the same announcement, the government also announced that it would be increasing the insured mortgage cap first the first time since 2012 to $1.5 million, effective Dec. 15. 

The increase aims to reflect current housing market realities and help more Canadians qualify for a mortgage with a downpayment below 20 per cent. The reforms also expand eligibility for 30-year mortgage amortizations to all first-time homebuyers and to all buyers of new builds starting Dec. 15 to reduce the cost of monthly mortgage payments. 

New registration for personal support workers in Ontario

The provincial government announced in June that it was aiming to improve consistency and patient understanding in the health care system through new changes that would allow personal support workers (PSWs) to register with the new Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA). 

The changes aim to provide better oversight in the health care system, support patient confidence, and help PSWs and PAs deliver connected and convenient care across the province. 

"Our government is taking bold action to grow and support Ontario's health care workforce now and for years to come," said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health at the time. "Through these changes, our government is reinforcing the critical role personal support workers and physician assistants play in our health care system while supporting the confidence of patients and their families."

Beginning Dec. 1, the more than 100,000 PSWs in Ontario will have the option to register with the new HSCPOA, which will deliver consistent education and training for workers, regardless of where they work and if they are part-time or full-time. 

Workers registered with the authority will be listed on an online public register and be easily identified with the HSCPOA's quality mark on their identification badge or paperwork in order to show employers, patients, and their families proof of registration.

Changes to Ontario's Rules of Civil Procedure

Starting Dec. 1, the Ontario government will be enacting a series of legislative changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure. 

The changes require any party who submits a factum or expert report at trial, on appeal, or in a judicial review application to the court to file a signed certificate of authenticity. 

According to Pallett Valo Lawyers, this certificate must state that the "submitting party is satisfied with the authenticity of all authorities cited in the relevant document." Sources that are published on a government website or scholarly journals will be presumed authentic unless proven otherwise. 

The changes highlight the importance of authentic authorities in court, especially in the face of increased artificial intelligence use in legal research.