Bill 135 explained in plain English
Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023
Ontario legislature bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Legislative Assembly of Ontario snapshot for 43rd 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 135 establishes a new 'Service Organization' by amalgamating local health integration networks to provide home and community care services, and makes related amendments to other laws.
This bill, the Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023, amends the Connecting Care Act, 2019. It establishes a new organization called the 'Service Organization' (named Ontario Health atHome in English and Santé à domicile Ontario in French). This new organization is created by amalgamating the existing local health integration networks. The Service Organization will be a subsidiary of the Agency (Ontario Health) and will focus on providing home and community care services, operational support to health service providers and Ontario Health Teams, and placement management services. The bill also makes related changes to other Ontario acts.
- Establishes a new organization, the 'Service Organization', which will be named Ontario Health atHome (English) or Santé à domicile Ontario (French).
- Amalgamates the existing local health integration networks into the new Service Organization.
- Defines the objects and corporate governance of the Service Organization, including providing home and community care services, operational supports to health service providers and Ontario Health Teams, and placement management services.
- States that the Service Organization is a subsidiary of the Agency (Ontario Health) and is an agent of the Crown, unless regulations state otherwise.
- Specifies rules regarding the board of directors, chief executive officer, and employees of the Service Organization.
- Grants the Agency the power to issue directives to the Service Organization, which the Service Organization must follow.
- Allows the Agency to require the Service Organization to disclose information about service contracts.
- Authorizes health service providers and Ontario Health Teams to disclose personal health information to the Minister for monitoring and assessing home and community care services.
- Amends several other Ontario acts to reflect the changes introduced by this bill, including clarifications on the roles of the Ministry of Health and the Service Organization.
- Provides for transitional matters related to the amalgamation and the creation of the Service Organization.
- Individuals receiving home and community care services.
- Current and former employees of the amalgamated local health integration networks.
- The Agency (Ontario Health).
- The Minister of Health.
- Health service providers and Ontario Health Teams.
- The Crown.
- Directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and advisors of the Service Organization and the Agency.
- The public, who may receive information and referrals to health and social services.
- The Service Organization has the object of providing home and community care services to patients.
- The Service Organization must operate without the purpose of gain and use its revenue only to further its objects.
- The Service Organization must comply with directives issued by the Agency.
- Health service providers and Ontario Health Teams may disclose personal health information to the Minister for monitoring and assessment purposes.
- The Crown, the Agency, the Service Organization, and their related persons are protected from certain legal actions related to their roles under the Act.
- The Service Organization's accounts and financial transactions will be audited annually by the Auditor General.
- The bill received Royal Assent on December 4, 2023.
- Most provisions of the Act come into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
- Section 14 of the Act (related to disclosure of personal health information) is deemed to have come into force on May 1, 2022.
- Certain sections (1-9, 11, 12(1-3), 13(2), 15, 16(1-4, 6), and 17-27) come into force on a day named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor.
- The Land Transfer Tax Act and the Retail Sales Tax Act do not apply to the amalgamation of predecessor corporations into the Service Organization.
- The Minister of Finance will pay any unpaid judgment against the Service Organization from the Consolidated Revenue Fund if the organization cannot pay after reasonable efforts.
- The Agency can issue directives to the Service Organization, which the Service Organization must comply with.
- Failure to comply with directives or requests for information may have consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text.
- The bill states that no cause of action arises against certain individuals or entities for acts done in good faith, providing protection from lawsuits in specific circumstances.
- The exact date for the commencement of certain sections of the Act is to be proclaimed by the Lieutenant Governor, meaning it is not yet fixed.
- The specific details and scope of 'operational supports' or 'other objects' that may be prescribed for the Service Organization are not fully defined in the bill text.
- While the bill establishes the Service Organization and amends numerous acts, the full practical implications and operational details of these changes may depend on future regulations or ministerial directives.
- The bill states that the Service Organization is an agent of the Crown 'unless the regulations provide otherwise,' indicating a possibility for exceptions to be defined in regulations.
This bill extensively amends the Connecting Care Act, 2019. It introduces new definitions, establishes the Service Organization by amalgamating existing networks, outlines its objects and powers, and modifies rules around its governance, liability, and operations. It also changes how Ontario Health Teams are designated and how transfer orders can be made.
Source: Sections 1, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 27.1-27.23
Changes the definition of 'Minister' in the Connecting Care Act, 2019, to mean the Minister of Health or another member of the Executive Council assigned to administer the Act.
Source: Section 1(3)
Applies this Act to the amalgamation of predecessor corporations into the Service Organization, designating the predecessor corporations as predecessor employers and the Service Organization as the successor employer. It also clarifies that the Crown is not considered a successor employer in this amalgamation.
Source: Section 25
Adds a definition for 'Service Organization' and makes several amendments related to reporting, directives, attestations, and expense claims, ensuring compliance by Ontario Health and the Service Organization.
Source: Section 17
Amends the definition of 'health sector organization' to include the Service Organization and clarifies provisions related to patients and former patients who received services from the Service Organization or former local health integration networks.
Source: Section 19
Amends the definition of 'health care provider or health care entity' to include the Service Organization.
Source: Section 20
Specifies that the Ombudsman Act does not apply to the Service Organization in relation to matters described in the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010.
Source: Section 21
Replaces 'Minister of Health and Long-Term Care' with 'Minister of Health' in certain contexts and updates headings and clauses in the Act's schedule related to ministries and funding recipients.
Source: Section 22
Amends a provision to include Ontario Health in a list.
Source: Section 23
Repeals Section 6 and makes a consequential amendment to subsection 9.1 (2).
Source: Section 24
Repeals Item 6 of the Schedule to this Act.
Source: Section 26
Amends the definition of 'home health-care worker' to include entities funded by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, or the Agency.
Source: Section 27
Repeals a specific subsection from Schedule 3 of this Act.
Source: Section 28
Repeals specific subsections from Schedule 3 of this Act.
Source: Section 29
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.
Official textProcess Snapshot
Vote Summary
Representative Voting Breakdown
Vote badges include text labels so the table stays readable for everyone, even without color cues alone.
| Representative | Role | Riding | Party | Vote | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPP | Brampton West | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Windsor—Tecumseh | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Essex | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Scarborough—Agincourt | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Markham—Unionville | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Cambridge | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Etobicoke—Lakeshore | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Richmond Hill | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
MPP | MPP | Peterborough—Kawartha | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Newmarket—Aurora | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Mississauga—Malton | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Brampton East | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Brampton Centre | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Northumberland—Peterborough South | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Oxford | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Brampton North | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Thunder Bay—Atikokan | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Etobicoke Centre | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Vaughan—Woodbridge | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | York Centre | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Mississauga Centre | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Hamilton East—Stoney Creek | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Markham—Stouffville | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Pickering—Uxbridge | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Brampton South | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Scarborough North | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Elgin—Middlesex—London | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Willowdale | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Oakville | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | King—Vaughan | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Dufferin—Caledon | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Durham | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Chatham-Kent—Leamington | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Nipissing | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Scarborough—Rouge Park | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Thornhill | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Markham—Thornhill | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Whitby | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
MPP | MPP | Perth—Wellington | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Burlington | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Ajax | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Hastings—Lennox and Addington | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
MPP | MPP | Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Sarnia—Lambton | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Eglinton—Lawrence | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Mississauga—Lakeshore | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Mississauga—Erin Mills | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Glengarry—Prescott—Russell | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Don Valley North | Independent | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
MPP | MPP | Brantford—Brant | Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Yes | Recorded without an additional note. |
MPP | MPP | Don Valley East | Ontario Liberal Party | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Scarborough—Guildwood | Ontario Liberal Party | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Parkdale—High Park | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Haldimand—Norfolk | Independent | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Waterloo | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Spadina—Fort York | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Nickel Belt | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Mushkegowuk—James Bay | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Sudbury | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | St. Catharines | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Oshawa | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | University—Rosedale | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
MPP | MPP | Ottawa Centre | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
MPP | MPP | Ottawa South | Ontario Liberal Party | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
MPP | MPP | Timiskaming—Cochrane | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Kanata—Carleton | Ontario Liberal Party | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Toronto Centre | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Thunder Bay—Superior North | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Ottawa—Vanier | Ontario Liberal Party | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Davenport | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Beaches—East York | Ontario Liberal Party | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Guelph | Green Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Hamilton Mountain | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | London West | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
MPP | MPP | Kiiwetinoong | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | Don Valley West | Ontario Liberal Party | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Orléans | Ontario Liberal Party | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Kingston and the Islands | Ontario Liberal Party | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
| MPP | London—Fanshawe | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
| MPP | Humber River—Black Creek | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. | |
MPP | MPP | Niagara Falls | New Democratic Party of Ontario | No | Recorded without an additional note. |
Official sources
Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.
How this data is sourced