Ontario's most controversial bills of 2020

It's been a year like no other, including within the stately stone walls of Ontario's legislature.

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed business at Queen's Park. Normally raucous question period took on a more muted tone, with limited numbers of physically distanced MPPsscattered around the chamber, theiroccasional heckles muffled by masks.

Premier Doug Ford's government prioritized emergency legislation during the pandemic's first wave, and the opposition parties co-operated with their unanimous consent to speedpassage of six such bills. But as the year progressed, political differences re-emerged as the government pushed forward with its agenda, sometimeswith legislation completed unrelated to COVID-19.

Here's a look at the most contentious bills of2020:

1. COVID-19 lawsuit immunity

No legislation drew more heat than Bill 218, the Ford government's move to shield organizations from lawsuits over the spread of COVID-19.

The association representing Ontario's biggest long-term care homes wanted the bill, saying it would protect"institutions working in good faith on the front lines."The government insists the legislation does not stop grossly negligent homes from facing legal consequences.

But families of long-term care residents who've died as a result of COVID-19 infections fear the bill gives lawyers for every home a big loophole to fend off lawsuits by saying their clients followed public health guidelines.

Ultimately, it will be up to the courts to decide what the legislation actually does. Meanwhile, people living in long-term care continue to be the most frequent victims of the pandemic. More than 2,300 residents with COVID-19 have died, nearly 500 of those during the second wave.

2. University status for Canada Christian College

Fordwon the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party paving his way to become premier in no small part through the backing ofevangelical pastor Charles McVety, president of the Whitby-based Canada Christian College.

Ford's political and personal connection to McVety put a spotlight on a small section of the government's Bill 213, entitled theBetter for People, Smarter for Business Act.The legislation includesa clause to give the Bible college the status of a universityand allow it to grant bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees.

The move prompted an outpouring of criticismin the wake of McVety'spast comments about Islam, same-sex marriage, Ontario's sex ed curriculum and Darwin's theory of evolution.

The college's application to become a university and grant the new degrees is still before Ontario's independent Post-secondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB). Although the bill enabling thechanges passed this week, the government says it will not bring the legislation into force without PEQAB approval.

WATCH| Former premier Kathleen Wynne calls Charles McVety 'the most publicly and vocally homophobic man in Ontario'

Wynne: McVety is 'the most publicly and vocally homophobic man in Ontario'

4 years ago

Duration 1:45

Kathleen Wynne criticizes the Ford government for a bill that would give Charles McVety's Canada Christian College the power to grant degrees in arts and science.

3. Weakening conservation authorities' powers

Since taking power, the Ford government had been steadily whittling away at the mandate of Ontario's 26 conservation authorities, which overseeenvironmental and watershed protection at the regional level. The government took a further step in November with part of its budget bill, weakening the authorities' powers to limitdevelopment projects.

The government described the legislation as streamlining and modernizing the process for development approvals. Conservation authority officials variously described it as "worse than we ever would have anticipated"and "development at any cost."

The provisions (contained in Schedule 6 of the budget bill) triggered the mass resignation of seven members of Ontario's GreenbeltCouncil, including its chair David Crombie.

Despite the blowback, the government stood firm, and thebill passed on Tuesday, a few hours before the PCs moved toadjournthe legislature for the rest of 2020.

WATCH| What's at stake for environmental protection after the passing of Ontario's budget bill

What's at stake for environmental protections if Ontario government passes budget bill

4 years ago

Duration 6:01

Former federal cabinet minister and Toronto mayor David Crombie has resigned as head of Ontario's Greenbelt Council in protest over the omnibus budget bill that he says would strip power from local conservation authorities.

4. Halting ranked ballots in municipal elections

The government puzzled many observers by putting seemingly unrelated legislation about the 2022 municipal elections into its bill granting good faith immunity from COVID-19 lawsuits.

The bill bansmunicipalities from using ranked ballots in elections for mayor and council. London had used this system in 2018, while Kingston and Cambridge were preparing to do so in 2022, and Toronto was considering the prospect.

Ford described the ban as necessary to stop municipalities from spending tax dollars to make the switch. He defended the existing "first-past-the-post" system as the way elections have been held since Confederation in 1867.

Nearly all Canadian political parties including the Ontario PCs now use ranked ballots to select leaders.

Some democracy activists say such a systemhelpsvoters get moreengaged in municipal elections and makes for more competitive council races.