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OntarioPassed43rd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill 151 explained in plain English

Improving Real Estate Management Act, 2024

Ontario legislature bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

At a glance

Jurisdiction
Ontario Legislature
Legislature / Parliament
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Session
43rd Parliament, 1st Session
Bill number
Bill 151
Full title
Improving Real Estate Management Act, 2024
Current status
Passed
Latest event
Royal Assent received
Last updated
Apr 25, 2024

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.

Chamber
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Current Stage
Royal Assent received
Latest Activity
Apr 25, 2024
Plain-language explanation
In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing
Short Version

Bill 151 restricts how certain Ontario public agencies and corporations can buy and sell real property by requiring government approval for many transactions and prohibiting others entirely.

What It Means

Bill 151 changes the rules for how certain Ontario government-related organizations can buy and sell land and buildings. The bill applies to various organizations including museum, convention centres, scientific centres, and health agencies. The main changes are: For some organizations, real property purchases now require approval from either the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry or the Lieutenant Governor in Council (the Cabinet). These restrictions apply to: - Algonquin Forestry Authority (needs Minister approval to buy or sell land) - Royal Ontario Museum (needs Cabinet approval to buy; needs Cabinet approval and must follow any regulations to sell) - Science North Centre and Board (need Cabinet approval to buy; cannot sell) For other organizations, the bill completely blocks them from buying and/or selling real property: - McMichael Canadian Art Collection Corporation (cannot sell land, but can buy with Cabinet approval) - Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre Corporation (cannot buy or sell) - Ottawa Convention Centre Corporation (cannot buy or sell) For four other organizations, the bill makes their real property activities subject to additional restrictions under section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011: - Centennial Centre of Science and Technology - Connecting Care Act Agency - Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Commission - Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion The bill comes into force on a date to be set by the Lieutenant Governor through proclamation.

What This Bill Does
  • Amends the Algonquin Forestry Authority Act to require Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry approval before the Authority can buy or sell freehold land
  • Amends the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Act to allow the Corporation to buy land only with Cabinet approval, and completely prohibits selling freehold land
  • Amends the Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre Corporation Act to completely prohibit buying or selling freehold land
  • Amends the Ottawa Convention Centre Corporation Act to completely prohibit buying or selling freehold land
  • Amends the Royal Ontario Museum Act to require Cabinet approval to buy freehold land, and require Cabinet approval plus compliance with any regulations to sell freehold land
  • Amends the Science North Act to require Cabinet approval to buy freehold land and completely prohibit selling freehold land
  • Amends the Centennial Centre of Science and Technology Act to make its real property activities subject to limits in section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011
  • Amends the Connecting Care Act, 2019 to make the Agency's powers subject to limits in section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011
  • Amends the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act to make the Commission's powers subject to limits in section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011
  • Amends the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion Act, 2007 to make the Corporation's powers subject to limits in section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011
  • Creates a regulation-making power allowing the Lieutenant Governor in Council to set conditions for the Royal Ontario Museum's disposal of freehold land
  • Includes a coordination provision with Bill 135 (Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023) regarding the Connecting Care Act amendments
Who Is Affected
  • Algonquin Forestry Authority - must obtain Minister approval for land transactions
  • McMichael Canadian Art Collection Corporation - restricted in ability to sell land
  • Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre Corporation - prohibited from buying or selling land
  • Ottawa Convention Centre Corporation - prohibited from buying or selling land
  • Royal Ontario Museum - must obtain Cabinet approval for land purchases and sales
  • Science North Centre and Board - must obtain Cabinet approval for land purchases, prohibited from selling
  • Centennial Centre of Science and Technology - operations subject to infrastructure limits
  • Health organizations under the Connecting Care Act, 2019 - powers subject to infrastructure limits
  • Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Commission - powers subject to infrastructure limits
  • Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion - powers subject to infrastructure limits
  • Provincial government - gains control over major real property transactions by these organizations through approval requirements
Rights, Duties, Or Obligations
  • Algonquin Forestry Authority must obtain approval from the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry before acquiring or disposing of freehold land
  • McMichael Canadian Art Collection Corporation must obtain Cabinet approval before acquiring freehold land
  • McMichael Canadian Art Collection Corporation is prohibited from disposing of freehold land
  • Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre Corporation is prohibited from acquiring or disposing of freehold land
  • Ottawa Convention Centre Corporation is prohibited from acquiring or disposing of freehold land
  • Royal Ontario Museum must obtain Cabinet approval before acquiring freehold land
  • Royal Ontario Museum must obtain Cabinet approval before disposing of freehold land
  • Royal Ontario Museum must comply with any regulations made by Cabinet regarding conditions for disposing of freehold land
  • Science North Centre and Board must obtain Cabinet approval before acquiring freehold land
  • Science North Centre and Board are prohibited from disposing of freehold land
  • Centennial Centre of Science and Technology's real property activities are subject to limits under section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011
  • Connecting Care Act Agency's powers are limited by section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011
  • Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Commission's powers are limited by section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011
  • Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion's powers are limited by section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011
Important Dates
  • Royal Assent received: April 25, 2024
  • Bill enacted as Chapter 7 of the Statutes of Ontario, 2024
  • Commencement: The Act comes into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor (not yet specified)
Financial Or Tax Impacts
  • The bill does not explicitly specify financial costs, savings, or tax impacts. Restrictions on land sales by some organizations (such as the convention centres and Science North) may affect their ability to raise funds from property sales.
Enforcement Or Penalties
  • The bill does not specify penalties for violations. Enforcement and penalties would likely fall under the existing enforcement mechanisms of each amended statute.
Uncertainties Or Limits
  • The bill references section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011 but does not provide the full text of this provision. The practical effect of these references depends on what section 11.0.1 actually contains and how it is interpreted.
  • The commencement date is not specified in the bill - it will be set by proclamation by the Lieutenant Governor, which may not have occurred yet.
  • The bill does not define what 'freehold interest' means, though this term would be understood under existing property law.
  • For the Royal Ontario Museum, the bill allows Cabinet to make regulations about conditions for selling land, but no such regulations are described in the bill.
  • Section 11 of the bill contains a coordination provision with Bill 135 (Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023), meaning the practical application depends on whether Bill 135 receives Royal Assent.
  • The bill does not specify what 'approval of the Minister' or 'approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council' processes look like or what standards apply to granting or denying such approval.
Laws Or Regulations Affected
Algonquin Forestry Authority Act
amended

The Authority must now get approval from the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry before it can buy or sell land

Source: Section 1 of Bill 151, amending Section 10

McMichael Canadian Art Collection Act
amended

The Corporation can buy land only with Cabinet approval, but is completely prohibited from selling land

Source: Section 4 of Bill 151, amending Section 7

Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre Corporation Act
amended

The Corporation cannot buy or sell land

Source: Section 5 of Bill 151, amending Section 6

Ottawa Convention Centre Corporation Act
amended

The Centre cannot buy or sell land

Source: Section 8 of Bill 151, amending Section 6

Royal Ontario Museum Act
amended

The Museum must get Cabinet approval to buy land, and must get Cabinet approval and follow any applicable regulations to sell land. The Cabinet can make regulations about conditions for sales.

Source: Section 9 of Bill 151, amending Section 8

Science North Act
amended

The Centre and Board must get Cabinet approval to buy land, but cannot sell land

Source: Section 10 of Bill 151, amending Section 7

Centennial Centre of Science and Technology Act
amended

The Centre's real property activities are now subject to limits in section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011

Source: Section 2 of Bill 151, amending Section 7

Connecting Care Act, 2019
amended

The Agency's general powers are now explicitly limited by section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011

Source: Section 3 of Bill 151, repealing and substituting Section 7(1)

Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act
amended

The Commission's capacity, rights, powers and privileges are now subject to limits in section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011

Source: Section 6 of Bill 151, amending Section 5

Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion Act, 2007
amended

The Corporation's general powers are now explicitly limited by section 11.0.1 of the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011

Source: Section 7 of Bill 151, repealing and substituting Section 7(1)

Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011
referenced for application

Section 11.0.1 of this act is referenced in multiple amendments as a limit on the powers of various organizations regarding real property

Source: Sections 2, 3, 6, and 7 of Bill 151

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 text

Process Snapshot

Step 1
First reading
Nov 16, 2023
Step 2
Second reading
Feb 22, 2024
Step 3
Committee review
Feb 22, 2024
Step 4
Third reading
Apr 17, 2024
Step 5
Royal assent
Apr 25, 2024

Vote Summary

Yes
72
No
32
Abstain
0
Absent / Other
0
Final recorded vote
Nov 22, 2023
104 representative positions are recorded in this official snapshot for this vote.
Sponsor
Kinga Surma
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Etobicoke Centre
Jurisdiction
Ontario Legislature

Representative Voting Breakdown

Vote badges include text labels so the table stays readable for everyone, even without color cues alone.

RepresentativeRoleRidingPartyVoteNotes
MPPBrampton WestProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPWindsor—TecumsehProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPEssexProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMarkham—UnionvilleProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPCambridgeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSimcoe—GreyProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPEtobicoke—LakeshoreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPRichmond HillProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNewmarket—AuroraProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMississauga—MaltonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPCarletonIndependentYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrampton EastProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBarrie—InnisfilProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPYork—SimcoeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrampton CentreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNorthumberland—Peterborough SouthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPFlamborough—GlanbrookProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBarrie—Springwater—Oro-MedonteProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPEtobicoke NorthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOxfordProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPTimminsProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrampton NorthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPParry Sound—MuskokaProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKenora—Rainy RiverProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSimcoe NorthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPThunder Bay—AtikokanProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPEtobicoke CentreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHaliburton—Kawartha Lakes—BrockProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHuron—BruceProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPVaughan—WoodbridgeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPAurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond HillProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPYork CentreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKitchener—ConestogaProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHamilton East—Stoney CreekProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMississauga—StreetsvilleProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPStormont—Dundas—South GlengarryProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMarkham—StouffvilleProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPPickering—UxbridgeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrampton SouthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPScarborough NorthProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPElgin—Middlesex—LondonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPWillowdaleProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOakvilleProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKing—VaughanProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDufferin—CaledonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDurhamProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPChatham-Kent—LeamingtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNipissingProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPScarborough—Rouge ParkProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKitchener South—HespelerProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPLanark—Frontenac—KingstonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPRenfrew—Nipissing—PembrokeProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPThornhillProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNepeanProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMarkham—ThornhillProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPWhitbyProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPPerth—WellingtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPYork South—WestonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBurlingtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMiltonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPAjaxProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBruce—Grey—Owen SoundProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSarnia—LambtonProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPEglinton—LawrenceProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSault Ste. MarieProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMississauga—LakeshoreProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMississauga—Erin MillsProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPGlengarry—Prescott—RussellProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBay of QuinteProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDon Valley NorthIndependentYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBrantford—BrantProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioYesRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDon Valley EastOntario Liberal PartyNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPScarborough—GuildwoodOntario Liberal PartyNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPWaterlooNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOttawa West—NepeanNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSpadina—Fort YorkNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNickel BeltNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPMushkegowuk—James BayNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNiagara CentreNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPSt. CatharinesNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOshawaNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPUniversity—RosedaleNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOttawa CentreNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOttawa SouthOntario Liberal PartyNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPTimiskaming—CochraneNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKanata—CarletonOntario Liberal PartyNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPToronto CentreNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPWindsor WestNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDavenportNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPBeaches—East YorkOntario Liberal PartyNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPAlgoma—ManitoulinIndependentNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPGuelphGreen Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHamilton MountainNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPLondon WestNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPToronto—DanforthNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHamilton West—Ancaster—DundasNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPKiiwetinoongNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPDon Valley WestOntario Liberal PartyNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPOrléansOntario Liberal PartyNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPLondon North CentreNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPLondon—FanshaweNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPHumber River—Black CreekNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded without an additional note.
MPPNiagara FallsNew Democratic Party of OntarioNoRecorded 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