Ontario is set to implement several new laws and regulations starting in 2026. These changes span various sectors, including transportation, employment, and environmental safety.

Impaired Driving Penalties Strengthened

Ontario is increasing penalties for alcohol- and drug-impaired driving. The changes include tougher roadside suspensions and longer look-back periods for repeat offenses.

Young and novice drivers will face extended license suspensions for zero-tolerance violations. Repeat offenders will be required to participate in mandatory treatment programs, according to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Pay Transparency Rules for Job Postings

Employers in Ontario with 25 or more employees must include salary ranges in public job postings. The salary range must start at $50,000.

Postings where the top end of the range exceeds $200,000 annually are exempt. All forms of pay must be disclosed, including bonuses and commissions.

Employers must also disclose the use of artificial intelligence in hiring and notify interviewed candidates of outcomes within 45 days. These measures amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000, according to the Ontario government.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Mandate Expands

New Ontario Fire Code standards will require carbon monoxide alarms on every floor of a home. This applies even to homes without bedrooms.

Landlords and building owners are responsible for installation, testing, and maintenance. Tenants must report any issues, according to the Government of Ontario.

This rule follows the Toronto multi-building fire where residents were displaced due to high carbon monoxide levels.

Vitamin D Levels Increased in Milk

Health Canada announced new regulations that will roughly double the required vitamin D content in cow’s milk and margarine. Allowed levels in goat’s milk will also increase.

The changes are intended to address widespread vitamin D deficiency and improve bone health across Canada.

Recycling Responsibility Shifts

Toronto will no longer manage recycling for most homes. Responsibility shifts to producers under Ontario’s expanded blue box program.

More materials, such as black plastic containers and beverage cups, will become recyclable provincewide. Circular Materials will manage the transition, with oversight from the Ontario government and the City of Toronto.

407 ETR Tolls to Rise

Tolls and transponder fees on Highway 407 are increasing, according to a press release from 407 ETR. Some peak rates will exceed $1 per kilometer.

The Route Relief Program will offer eligible households up to eight free trips per month.

Toronto Water and Waste Fees Increase

Toronto City Council approved a 3.75-per cent interim increase to water rates and solid waste fees. For an average household, water costs will rise about $40 annually.

Garbage collection fees will increase depending on bin size.

Labour Mobility Opens for Professionals

Ontario will allow qualified professionals from other provinces to work in the province within 10 business days while completing registration. This includes doctors, engineers, and electricians.

The province says the changes will help address labor shortages, especially in health care. The policy flows from Ontario’s Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, according to the Ontario government.

Grocery Code of Conduct Takes Effect

Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct comes into force, setting standards for how grocers and suppliers conduct business. The framework is backed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

While consumers shouldn’t expect immediate price drops, the code aims to stabilize food inflation and reduce disputes in the supply chain, with analysis from Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab.

Why This Matters

These new laws and regulations signal significant shifts in Ontario’s approach to public safety, economic practices, and environmental responsibility. Stricter impaired driving penalties aim to reduce accidents, while pay transparency seeks to promote fair hiring practices. The expansion of recycling programs and changes to vitamin D levels in milk reflect a focus on public health and environmental sustainability. Ontarians should be aware of these changes as they take effect in 2026.