With the arrival of 2022, many new regulations in Canada have also come into effect, many of which are closely related to people's lives, including new regulations such as minimum wage increases, plastic bans and soft drink taxes. Beginning January 1, these new laws and regulations will transform people's daily lives, covering everything from spending to shopping to the workplace. Next, there are new laws and regulations that have just come into effect in 2022 by the Canadian federal government and provincial governments.

Nationally

1) Act banning sexual orientation correction therapy

The federal government of Canada submitted the bill on November 29, 2021, and it was finally approved on December 8. But it will need to wait until it becomes law on January 7 this year, that is, 30 days after the bill is approved.

Under the new law, the "sexual orientation correction therapy" aimed at changing someone's sexual orientation to heterosexuality, or changing their gender identity, is punishable by up to five years in prison. Anyone caught promoting or profiting from the therapy could face up to two years in prison.

2) Ban on single-use plastics

The federal government of Canada has pledged to ban single-use plastics by the end of 2021. But in November 2021, the government announced it would delay the ban until sometime in 2022.The regulation bans six single-use plastic items, including hard-to-recycle plastic bags, straws, stir sticks, cutlery, food containers, and plastic rings used to hold bottled products.

3) Termination of Financing of Fossil Fuel Projects

Canada’s federal government announced at this year’s COP26 meeting that it would halt new direct investment in coal, oil and gas development by the end of 2022 and redirect that investment to renewable resource projects. In addition to Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and 21 other countries have joined the pledge.

4) New changes in Carbon Tax rebates

Beginning in July, tax rebates to residents of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will be issued on a quarterly basis due to increased carbon pricing costs, rather than on an annual basis. In addition to the federal government, Canadian provincial governments have also introduced the latest regulations.

Ontario

1) Raise the minimum wage

The government says the minimum wage will continue to rise at the inflation rate after that date. The boost will also apply to liquor servers in the province, who currently earn $12.55 an hour.

2) Ontario rent freeze ends

Ontario's rent freeze, which ended Jan. 1, was originally meant to help residents avoid the pressure of rent increases during the pandemic. Currently, the government has set a growth rate of 1.2 per cent for 2022, and landlords do not need to ask tenants' consent.

3) Ease the pressure of rising gas prices

Gas prices in Ontario have hit record highs, with Premier Doug Ford pledging to slash the gas tax by up to six cents per liter through March 31.

4) Holiday accommodation tax benefits

Ontario's vacation lodging tax credit will go into effect on January 1 and will be in effect throughout 2022. Ontario residents can claim this refundable tax when they file their 2022 personal tax return, even if they don't owe any taxes.

5) Digital ID Program

The Ontario digital ID program has been delayed due to the rollout of the Vaccine Certificate System, which will officially launch in 2022, but the government has yet to give a specific date. When the digital ID program is implemented, Ontarians will be able to store electronic versions of ID cards -- such as driver's licenses and health cards -- in digital wallet apps.

6) Work-Life Balance Rules

The Ontario government's new law will help employees get rid of overtime and better balance work and life. The law requires businesses in Ontario with 25 or more employees to have a written policy between January 1 and March 1 of each year that employees do not have to deal with any work-related content after hours.

7) Prohibition of non-competitive agreements

As another part of the Workers at Work Act, Ontario will also ban employers from "unfairly" competing for work agreements.

Non-compete clauses generally prevent people from taking jobs related to their previous jobs after they leave, thereby depriving employees of opportunities to find better jobs and earn higher wages.

British Columbia

1) Milk Container Refund

Containers for milk have also been added to B.C.'s list of products eligible for a refund starting in February, similar to the previous cans and bottles. The province estimates the program could help it recycle an additional 40 million containers a year.

2) Paid sick leave

Beginning January 1, part-time and full-time workers in B.C. will receive five days of paid sick leave, plus three days of unpaid sick leave. You only need to work for this company for 90 days to apply.

Alberta

1) Daycare cost reduction

The agreement is also expected to create about 40,000 new places in the province's not-for-profit child care facilities.

2) Welcome to the new area code

Alberta will welcome its fifth area code: 368 on April 23. New area codes will only be released after all existing area codes in the province are used up and will not affect existing phone users.

Saskatchewan

1) Mandatory installation of smoke detectors

Starting July 1, all residential buildings in Saskatchewan will be required to install both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Under the law, all buildings that contain permanent residence, such as houses, apartments, townhouses, motels, hotels, and long-term care homes.

Manitoba

1) Human rights complaint investigation to reform

Beginning January 1, Manitoba's reforms to the province's Human Rights Commission (MHRC) will allow the department to respond faster and deal with human rights complaints.The changes will allow the committee's executive director to dismiss complaints and decline to investigate certain complaints. In addition, time limits are set for hearings and decisions. Under the previous system, human rights complaints in Manitoba could take up to six years to resolve.

Quebec

1) Curriculum Reform in Quebec

Beginning in the 2022 school year, Quebec classrooms will begin teaching "Culture and Citizenship in Quebec," rather than earlier courses on ethics and religious culture. The new plan focuses on three areas, namely "culture", "citizenship in Quebec", "dialogue and critical thinking". The project will be piloted in 2022 and then taught across the province in 2023.

New Brunswick

1) Reforms for youth e-cigarettes

The province said the permit would allow for commercial inspections, would increase accountability and allow for communication when product recalls occur.

2) Proposed animal protection measures

Although only a proposal now, New Brunswick is also planning to implement additional animal protection measures from January 1.

The new measures include requiring all cat and dog sellers to provide buyers with a valid health certificate, improving tethering standards for animals, and adding two new animal care standards.

Nova Scotia

1) Reform of adoption records

Nova Scotia is currently making changes to the "sampling records" rules, which will allow adopted children and their biological parents to access their adoption records once the child turns 19.

The rule will take effect as early as April.

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.)

1) Raise the minimum wage

P.E.I.’s rising minimum wage also makes it the highest in Atlantic Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Tax on soft drinks

North-west region

1) Enhanced training for novice truck drivers

Starting in January, those wanting to get into truck driving will be required to take a mandatory entry-level training programme before they can be awarded a Class 1 licence. Before this, novice truck drivers only needed to pass a practical and theoretical exam to get their license.

Yukon

1) Ban on single-use plastic bags

From January 1, single-use plastic shopping bags will be banned in the Yukon. The district also plans to ban single-use paper bags on January 1, 2023.

Nunavut

1) Launch a new holiday

Nunavut will make September 30th National Truth and Reconciliation Day an official date in 2022. In September, the region's government said "there is not enough time this year to officially recognise the holiday, but it is ready to recognise it in 2022."