Bill 130 explained in plain English
Adapting to a Hotter Ontario Act, 2026
Ontario legislature bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Legislative Assembly of Ontario snapshot for 44th Parliament, 1st Session. Representative vote breakdowns appear when the Assembly publishes an Ayes and Nays page for the bill.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill 130 enacts three new laws addressing climate change adaptation, worker heat protection, and urban wildfire preparedness in Ontario.
Bill 130, called the Adapting to a Hotter Ontario Act, 2026, creates three new sets of rules to help Ontario deal with the impacts of climate change, particularly heat and wildfires. The first part adds new requirements to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to protect workers from heat stress. Employers must develop heat protection policies, conduct heat stress assessments, provide mandatory cool-down breaks, shade, and drinking water, and ensure workers are trained on heat-related risks. Employees get paid for time spent on mandated breaks and training. The standard must be fully in place within 12 months. For the first five years, the government must report annually to the Legislature on heat-related illnesses and deaths, and on enforcement of these rules. The second part creates the Ontario Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Act, 2026. It requires the government to develop a detailed strategic action plan (within two years) to protect Ontarians, communities, infrastructure, and nature from climate impacts like floods, heat waves, droughts, and wildfires. The plan must address flood management, extreme heat preparedness, storms, wildfires, infrastructure resilience, agriculture, and natural ecosystems. The government must establish an arm's-length Ontario Climate Adaptation Fund to finance these activities, create a resource centre for climate adaptation information, and set up a whole-of-government coordination secretariat. The Legislature must review and update the plan every two years. The government must report annually to the Legislature on progress. The third part creates the Protecting Ontario from Urban Wildfires Act, 2026. It requires the government to establish an Urban Wildfires Advisory Committee within 90 days to assess the growing risk of urban wildfires and recommend ways to prevent, suppress, and recover from them. The Committee must report within one year. Based on that report, the government must develop plans, laws, and protocols (within one year of the Committee's report) to protect Ontario from urban wildfires, including updates to building codes, emergency management procedures, and coordination between urban and forest firefighting services.
- Amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to add Part IV.1 requiring development and implementation of a Worker Heat Protection Standard within 12 months
- Requires employers to develop and implement Heat Stress and Protection Policies and Programs
- Requires employers to conduct heat stress assessments and provide results to health and safety representatives
- Mandates paid cool-down breaks, shade, acclimatization programs, and personal protective equipment at employer expense
- Requires mandatory heat stress training for employees and supervisors, approved by the Chief Prevention Officer
- Requires training for health and safety representatives and committee members on heat stress
- Ensures workers receive pay at their regular rate for mandated rest periods, breaks, medical removal protection, and training
- Requires training and hazard materials be provided in English, French, and another language if employees speak neither English nor French
- Directs the Minister to present annual reports to the Legislature for five years on heat-related illnesses, mortality, and enforcement activities
- Enacts the Ontario Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Act, 2026 requiring development of a strategic action plan within two years to protect citizens, communities, infrastructure, and nature from climate risks
- Requires consultation with Indigenous partners, municipalities, Conservation Authorities, experts, labour organizations, and community groups in developing the strategic action plan
- Requires establishment of an arm's-length Ontario Climate Adaptation Fund within two years to finance adaptation and resilience activities
- Requires establishment of the Ontario Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Resource Centre within one year to provide climate adaptation information and support
- Requires establishment of a Whole-of-Government Climate Adaptation Co-ordination Secretariat to coordinate climate adaptation across all government ministries and agencies
- Requires annual reports to the Legislature on provincial adaptation progress by April 30 each year
- Requires the Legislature to review the strategic action plan every two years and make updates as necessary
- Specifies that the strategic action plan must address flood management, extreme heat preparedness, protection from intense storms, wildfire protection, infrastructure resilience, agriculture and food security, and natural ecosystem resilience
- Requires expansion of flood management programs including flood mapping, public access to flood risk information, wetland protection, and implementation of national building standards
- Requires extreme heat preparedness measures including heat risk mapping, heat-related death and illness reporting systems, urban cooling strategies, cooling in public institutions, maximum temperature requirements for rental units (26°C), and workplace heat protections
- Requires assessment and improvement of systems for issuing severe weather warnings
- Requires amendment of the Wildland Fire Management Act to extend the fire season, expansion to year-round wildfire management, development of standards for municipal Wildland Fire Management Plans, and community FireSmart programs
- Requires funding for planting native trees and vegetation, restoring Conservation Authority powers and funding, and developing forest management practices to reduce wildfire risk
- Requires assessment of infrastructure climate risks and development of regulatory obligations for critical infrastructure operators
- Requires updates to the Building Code to incorporate climate change resiliency
- Requires commitment to protect prime agricultural land and development of strategies to increase local food production and consumption
- Requires development of on-farm climate adaptation practices and soil health strategies
- Enacts the Protecting Ontario from Urban Wildfires Act, 2026 requiring establishment of an Urban Wildfires Advisory Committee within 90 days
- Requires the Urban Wildfires Advisory Committee to assess urban wildfire risks and develop recommendations within one year
- Requires the government to develop plans and legislation for urban wildfire prevention, suppression, and recovery within one year of receiving the Committee's report
- Requires development of protocols for cooperation between urban and forest wildfire management forces
- All workers in Ontario, particularly those in outdoor and hot indoor work environments such as construction, agriculture, roofing, road work, manufacturing, kitchens, and other occupational settings
- All employers in Ontario, who must develop heat stress policies, conduct assessments, provide training, and pay for mandatory breaks and protective equipment
- Health and safety representatives and committee members in workplaces
- Ontario residents, communities, and businesses facing risks from floods, extreme heat, droughts, and wildfires
- Indigenous communities and First Nations, who are specifically mentioned as vulnerable populations and consultation partners
- Seniors and low-income communities identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts
- Municipal governments and Conservation Authorities who must implement adaptation measures
- Owners of rental properties and employer-provided housing, subject to maximum temperature requirements of 26°C
- Farmers and agricultural producers required to implement climate adaptation practices
- School and childcare centre operators who must assess cooling needs
- Firefighters and emergency management personnel in both urban and wildland contexts
- Municipalities in Ontario's fire region required to prepare Wildland Fire Management Plans
- Workers have the right to receive compensation at regular rate for mandated rest periods, breaks, medical removal protection, and training under the Worker Heat Protection Standard
- Workers have the right to heat stress training including signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, emergency response procedures, and their rights under the Worker Heat Protection Standard
- Workers have the right to access to cool drinking water or adequate alternative hydrating fluid close to work areas
- Workers have the right to mandatory paid cool-down breaks, shade, acclimatization, and personal protective equipment at employer expense
- Employees have the right to have training provided in a language they understand (English, French, or another language if needed)
- Employers must develop and implement a Heat Stress and Protection Policy and Program in consultation with health and safety representatives or committees
- Employers must conduct heat stress assessments as frequently as prescribed and no less than the prescribed frequency
- Employers must review their Heat Stress and Protection Policy and Program at least once every 12 months
- Employers must provide health and safety representatives with results of every heat stress assessment
- Health and safety representatives must receive training on heat stress in accordance with approved standards
- The Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks must develop and implement the Worker Heat Protection Standard within 12 months
- The Minister must develop and publish a strategic action plan within two years addressing climate adaptation priorities
- The Minister must establish an arm's-length Ontario Climate Adaptation Fund within two years
- The Minister must establish the Ontario Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Resource Centre within one year
- The Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks must establish an Urban Wildfires Advisory Committee within 90 days
- The government must develop and implement plans and protocols for urban wildfire management based on the Committee's recommendations within one year of the report
- Ontario residents have the right to access flood-risk maps and property-level flood risk information on a user-friendly online portal at no cost
- Vulnerable populations must be prioritized in climate adaptation planning, including Indigenous communities, seniors, and low-income communities
- Municipal governments must prepare or update fluvial and pluvial flood risk maps as prioritized
- Municipalities in Ontario's fire region must prepare Wildland Fire Management Plans and make them publicly available
- Critical infrastructure operators must incorporate and disclose climate change risks in their strategic and operational plans
- Bill 130 comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent
- Worker Heat Protection Standard (Schedule 1) comes into force 12 months after Royal Assent
- Strategic action plan (Schedule 2) must be developed and published within two years of the Act coming into force
- Ontario Climate Adaptation Fund (Schedule 2) must be established within two years of the Act coming into force
- Ontario Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Resource Centre (Schedule 2) must be established within one year of the Act coming into force
- Urban Wildfires Advisory Committee (Schedule 3) must be established within 90 days of the Act coming into force
- Urban Wildfires Advisory Committee (Schedule 3) must report within one year of being established
- Government must develop urban wildfire plans and legislation (Schedule 3) within one year after receiving the Committee's report
- Strategic action plan review by Legislature must occur within four years, then every two years thereafter
- Annual reports to Legislature on adaptation progress (Schedule 2) must be presented by April 30 each year
- Annual reports on government ministry and agency adaptation plans must be presented by April 30 each year
- For five years after Worker Heat Protection Standard is implemented, the Minister must annually present reports to the Legislature on heat-related illness and mortality figures and enforcement activities
- Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Guidance Manual must be completed by December 1 in the year following the year the Act comes into force
- Urban flooding working group must provide report and strategy to Legislature by December 1 in the year following the year the Act comes into force
- Wildland fire susceptibility assessment report from Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry must be presented to Legislative Assembly by December 1 in the year following the year the Act comes into force
- Costs report for urban wildfire programs from Minister must be presented to Legislative Assembly by December 1 in the year following the year the Act comes into force
- Several provisions of the Act do not apply unless the Legislature has appropriated money for those purposes, including: establishment of the Ontario Climate Adaptation Fund (Section 4); certain flood management funding (Section 9); certain extreme heat funding (Section 10); certain wildfire funding (Section 12); certain agriculture funding (Section 14); and certain natural environment funding (Section 15)
- Employers must cover the cost of cool-down breaks, shade, acclimatization, personal protective equipment, and training required under the Worker Heat Protection Standard
- Employees must receive compensation at their regular rate for time spent on mandated breaks, medical removal protection, training, and other activities required under the Worker Heat Protection Standard
- The government must fund the Ontario Climate Adaptation Fund to support adaptation and resilience activities
- The government must fund the Ontario Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Resource Centre
- Municipal governments may receive grants and incentives for flood protection measures in higher-risk areas
- Municipal governments may receive funding for extreme heat preparedness, including urban cooling strategies
- Municipal governments may receive funding for FireSmart programs and other wildfire prevention
- Farmers may receive support through Environmental Farm Plans and water resource adaptation initiatives
- The government must provide funding adequate to Conservation Authorities' core mandate
- The government must fund the planting of native trees and vegetation on public and private lands
- The bill text does not specify particular penalties for non-compliance with the Worker Heat Protection Standard. However, it directs the Minister to develop 'meaningful penalties for non-compliance' for regulations protecting workers in hot occupational environments under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Schedule 2, Section 10, Paragraph 9)
- The bill requires 'proactive inspections' and 'anti-reprisal protections' for workers who report heat-related workplace violations (Schedule 2, Section 10, Paragraph 9)
- The bill provides for 'accessible third-party complaint mechanisms' related to occupational heat protection (Schedule 2, Section 10, Paragraph 9)
- For the first five years after implementation, the Minister must annually report to the Legislature on enforcement activities with respect to the Worker Heat Protection Standard (Schedule 1, Section 42.6)
- The bill text does not specify what temperatures or conditions trigger the application of the Worker Heat Protection Standard or which specific industries must comply
- The bill does not define what constitutes 'hazardous levels of heat stress' in the Worker Heat Protection Standard
- The specific content of the Worker Heat Protection Standard is not detailed in the bill; the Minister has discretion to develop it within the framework provided
- The bill does not specify the composition, size, budget, or specific authority of the arm's-length Ontario Climate Adaptation Fund
- The bill does not specify the budget or staffing level for the Ontario Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Resource Centre
- The bill does not specify the exact content of the strategic action plan for climate adaptation beyond general areas to be addressed
- The bill does not specify the composition, size, or specific powers of the Whole-of-Government Climate Adaptation Co-ordination Secretariat
- The bill does not specify what exact measures or timelines the government will implement for each climate adaptation priority
- The bill does not detail what specific legislation will be necessary to implement the urban wildfire management plans beyond naming some existing Acts that may be amended
- The bill does not specify the budget for urban wildfire prevention, suppression, and recovery programs
- The bill does not define what specific temperatures or humidity levels constitute 'extreme heat' requiring activation of specific measures
- The bill does not specify the exact content or timing of regulations that may be made under the Act regarding forest management incentives
Adds new Part IV.1 requiring employers to implement a Worker Heat Protection Standard with mandatory paid cool-down breaks, training, assessments, and protections for workers exposed to heat stress. Standard must be implemented within 12 months. Worker Heat Protection Standard must be updated at least annually. Training must be approved by the Chief Prevention Officer.
Source: Schedule 1, Section 1, 42.1-42.6
Creates new Act requiring development and publication of a strategic action plan within two years to protect Ontario from climate change risks. Establishes an arm's-length Ontario Climate Adaptation Fund within two years. Creates Ontario Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Resource Centre within one year. Establishes Whole-of-Government Climate Adaptation Co-ordination Secretariat. Requires annual reports to Legislature by April 30 each year. Legislature must review and update plan every two years.
Source: Schedule 2, Sections 1-18
Creates new Act requiring establishment of Urban Wildfires Advisory Committee within 90 days to assess urban wildfire risks and develop recommendations. Committee must report within one year. Government must develop plans, legislation, and protocols for urban wildfire management within one year of receiving Committee report. Must address building codes, emergency management, zoning regulations, firefighting infrastructure, and evacuation protocols.
Source: Schedule 3, Sections 1-5
Extended fire season in recognition of wildland fires occurring earlier than April 1 and ending later than October 31 each year. Expansion to year-round operational model for wildland fire management with permanent workforce.
Source: Schedule 2, Section 12, Paragraph 2
Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.
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