Bill 141

Bill 1412000

An Act to amend the Remembrance Day Observance Act, 1997

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. The Remembrance Day Observance Act, 1997 is amended by adding the following section:

Leave from work

3.1 (1) On each Remembrance Day, an employee may take a leave of absence from work without pay for not more than three hours between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the purpose of participating in observances for those who died serving their country in wars and in peacekeeping efforts.

No penalty

(2) No employer shall impose upon or exact from the employee any penalty by reason of his or her absence from work during the hours mentioned in subsection (1).

Same

(3) Nothing in this section prohibits an employer from paying an employee salary or wages during the period under subsection (1) in which the employee is absent from work for the purpose described in that subsection.

Exception, essential services

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to employees who are necessary to ensure that the provision of essential services is not disrupted during the hours mentioned in that subsection.

Definition

(5) In this section, "

essential services" means services that are necessary to prevent,

(a)danger to life, health or safety,

(b)destruction or serious deterioration of machinery, equipment or premises, or

(c)serious environmental damage.

Commencement

2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the Remembrance Day Observance Amendment Act, 2000.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill grants employees the right to take a leave of absence from work without pay of up to three hours between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on each Remembrance Day so that they may participate in observances for those who died serving their country in wars and in peacekeeping efforts.