UPCOMING ELECTION

As we approach the October 27th election date, there is a couple things to notice about the procedure. Please make sure to remember these tips in order to enact on your civil duty.

Who Can Vote

You can vote in Toronto’s municipal election if you are:

• a Canadian citizen; and
• at least 18 years old; and
• a resident in the City of Toronto; or
• a non-resident of the City of Toronto, but you or your spouse own or rent property in the City; and
• not prohibited from voting under any law

You may only vote once in the City of Toronto municipal election regardless of how many properties you own or rent within the City. You must vote in the ward where you live.
An owner or tenant of non-residential property, or their spouse, is not eligible to vote for School Board Trustee.

Terms you may need help understanding

• As a resident elector
  • Your residence is where you live. If you live in a municipality, then you are eligible to vote in that municipality's election. You are only allowed to have one residence.
• As a non-resident elector
  • If you live in one municipality, and own or rent property in another municipality, you are eligible to vote in each municipality's election.
• As the spouse of a non-resident elector
• If your spouse qualifies as a non-resident elector in a municipality, then you can also vote in that municipality's election. 

Students

If you are a student and consider your "home" to be the place where you live when you are not attending school, which means you plan on returning there, then you are eligible to vote in both your "home" municipality and in the municipality where you currently live while attending school. If you are a student attending school in another city, please check with the City Clerk of that municipality to find out what your voting options are.
As a student and a resident of the City of Toronto, if you are unable to vote in the 2014 Municipal Election, you may appoint another elector as Proxy to vote on your behalf. Find out more about appointing a Proxy.

Who Can Vote in a School Board Election

In order to vote in a school board election you must be 18 years of age or older, and a Canadian citizen. If you are a resident of municipality, you are eligible to vote for school board trustee. If you are the owner or tenant (or spouse of an owner of tenant) of residential property in a municipality, you are eligible to vote for school trustee. Note: school boards can cover a large area of a municipality. You are only allowed to vote for the same school board once.
If you are eligible to vote in a municipality because you are the owner or tenant (or spouse of an owner or tenant) of a commercial property there, you are not eligible to vote for school trustee.
There are four different kinds of school boards in Ontario:

English-language public school board

This is the default - unless you are qualified to vote for a separate or French board, you will vote for the English public school board in your area.

English language separate school board

You must be Roman Catholic, and you must be a separate school board supporter or the spouse of a separate school board supporter. If your spouse is a Roman Catholic and you are not, you are not eligible.

French language public school board

You must be a French language rights holder, and you must be a supporter (or the spouse of a supporter) of the French language public school board.

French language separate school board

You must be a Roman Catholic and a French language rights holder, and you must be a supporter (or the spouse of a supporter) of the French separate school board. If your spouse is a Roman Catholic and you are not, you are not eligible.

"Supporter" refers to which school board the school portion of your property taxes goes to. The default is the public school system. In order to be a separate school supporter you must direct your taxes to the separate school system. Contact the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (1-866-296-6722) for more information.

Who Cannot Vote

You are prohibited from voting on voting day if you are:

• a person serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution
• a corporation
• a person acting as executor or trustee or in another representative capacity, except as a voting proxy
• a person convicted of a corrupt practice described in section 90(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996

Identification is needed when you go to vote. Remember to bring:

• One piece of identification showing your name and qualifying (Toronto) address

Your voter information card cannot be used as a piece of identification. View the complete list of acceptable identification.

• If you do not have acceptable ID, but your name is on the voters' list you will be required to sign a Declaration of Identity to receive a ballot.
• If you do not have acceptable ID, and are not on the voters' list, you will be asked to return with your ID in order to receive a ballot.

The Voters' List

Get on the List!
Being on the City of Toronto voters' list ensures that you will receive the Voter Information Card (VIC) that tells you when and where to vote. Having your VIC will speed up your time spent at the voting place.

What is the voters' list and how does it get made?

The voters' list is a list of eligible electors in the City of Toronto.
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for preparing the preliminary list of electors for each municipality and school board during an election year. It is MPAC's 'Municipal Property Assessment database' of both property owners and tenants that is used to prepare this preliminary list. The preliminary list of electors aids Election Services in the preparation of the final voters' list for election day. This preliminary list of electors is sent to Election Services and beginning September 2, the Revision Period begins. At this time an elector may add their name, change their information or delete their name from the voters' list. During the revision period the voters' list is available for viewing at the City Clerk's Office locations Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How to check the voters' list
Eligible electors can check that they are on the voters' list by using the MyVote tool or by calling 416-338-1111 (TTY 416-338-0889). To update their information eligible electors can download and complete a Voters' List Amendment Application and submit in person to one of the City Clerk's Office locations or by mail to 89 Northline Road. Full submission instructions are on the form.

• • Voters List Amendment Application (PDF)
  • Demande de modification de la liste électorale (PDF)

You may also add your name to the voters' list at the voting place when you go to vote. You will be asked for identification showing your name and qualifying Toronto address.

Accessible Elections

One of the most important mandates of the City Clerk's Office is to ensure that elections are accessible to all. From providing equipment and technology that allows private and independent voting, to ensuring that our voting places are accessible. Find out more about the Clerk's policy on Providing Service to People with Disabilities.
"There should be no hierarchy of citizenship when it comes to voting in Canada: no second class voters."
(Canadian Human Rights Tribunal: Hughes, James Peter v. Elections Canada)

Accessibility Plan

The Election Accessibility Plan supports and strengthens the City's commitment to respond to the needs of persons with disabilities.
The focus of this Plan is to ensure that electoral services are accessible to all electors and candidates, to identify and eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities and to create a positive voting experience.
The City Clerk's Office will continue to learn, develop and adjust our approaches in order to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. The review of accessibility issues and initiatives and addressing barrier prevention or removal is an ongoing practice. This Plan will be improved and updated as new opportunities are identified or become available.
Highlights of services available to electors with disabilities can also be found under Special Services for Voters.
Below this section, you can find our strategy and initiatives to make elections accessible to all.

Aviso importante!!

Programa de Medidores de Agua

El Ayuntamiento de Toronto está poniendo en marcha un programa obligatorio de medidores de agua en todo Toronto e instalará o mejorará los medidores de agua en su zona. Este programa asegurará la continua precisión de sus facturas del agua y mejorará las eficiencias de las lecturas de los medidores.

• Este programa es obligatorio para todas las viviendas de Toronto, tal y como ha sido aprobado por el Ayuntamiento, de conformidad con el Código Municipal de la Ciudad de Toronto, Capítulo 851, Suministro de agua.
• La instalación o el medidor de agua son gratis para los propietarios de las viviendas.
• Los instaladores necesitarán tener acceso al interior de su vivienda.
• Una persona de 18 años de edad o mayor debe estar presente durante la instalación.
• La instalación durará 90 minutos para los clientes que no tienen actualmente un medidor de agua (clientes de tarifa fija) y 30 minutos para los clientes que ya tienen medidores de agua.

Pueden pedirse citas llamando al: 416-23-METER(416-236-3837) o en línea en

toronto.ca/watermeterprogram. Si es necesario, hay intérpretes disponibles durante el horario del centro de llamadas para asistirle, por favor pida un intérprete cuando hable con un(a) operador(a). Nuestro sitio Web también contiene información en este idioma.

Horario de la cita de instalacion - Lunes a Viernes:

• Dia - de 8am a 12pm
• Tarde - de 12pm a 4pm
• Noche - de 4pm a 8pm

Horario de la cita de instalacion - Sabado y Domingo:

• Tarde - de 12pm a 4pm
• Noche - de 4pm a 8pm

Todos los propietarios de viviendas recibirán el mismo medidor de agua (del tamaño aproximado de un balón de fútbol), que tiene una unidad transmisora inalámbrica aparte (de aproximadamente 15 cm por 10 cm por 5 cm) montada cerca. Todos los datos enviados están protegidos y contienen sólo el número de serie del medidor de agua y los datos sobre consumo. No se transmite ninguna información identificable. El medidor de agua se colocará justo después de la llave de paso principal, o si usted ya tiene un medidor de agua, se instalará en el lugar donde se encuentra su antiguo medidor. Neptune Technology Group, bajo contrato con el Ayuntamiento, realizará todas las mejoras e instalaciones.

Por favor compruebe su llave de paso principal y asegúrese de que esté funcionando correctamente antes de pedir una cita. Si no sabe cómo hacerlo, o si la llave está defectuosa, informe al operador cuando concierte su cita. 

Los instaladores deben poder tener acceso a su llave de paso principal (y al medidor de agua

existente, si tiene uno). Si alguno de ellos está obstruido por una pared, su instalador, tras consultar con usted, puede cortar una abertura para tener acceso. Los propietarios de viviendas pueden elegir crear su propio acceso cortando ellos mismos una abertura de 48 cm por 38 cm. Puede solicitarse una tapa o panel de acceso para ocultar el agujero después de la instalación. No se cobra por el trabajo realizado durante la instalación o por la tapa o panel de acceso.

Water Meter Program

We are proud to advise you as part of our ongoing insurance information program, specifically surrounding the subject of water, the following public service announcement for the city of Toronto.
The following piece of information highlights steps and procedures that must be followed in order to adapt to the new water reading system. This is also an ideal time to check the water shut off valve in your home or office to insure that it is fully operational.
This service is provided at no cost, and to the best of our understanding, its mandatory. You can direct your calls and inquiries to the numbers outlined on the following piece of information provided by the city of Toronto.

The Program

The City of Toronto is implementing a mandatory water meter program that will replace or install new automated meters in every home and business in the city, to provide an equitable system for all Toronto Water customers.
 The new system will help to keep better track of water consumption across the city, detect water loss more quickly and eliminate the need for City staff to go to homes to obtain water meter readings. It will also provide environmental benefits.
The program will be rolling out on a ward-by-ward basis. Residents will be notified by mail when installations begin in their wards.

A New Water Reading System

Your water meter will be part of the City's new automated reading system. This new technology will integrate all water meter reading, data storage and billing across the City of Toronto into one seamless system. Once installed, each water meter across the city will send data, several times a day, to a series of collection units. The data is then sent to a central server, which allows for fast, secure access and storage of all information.

All data contains only the water meter serial number and consumption data. No identifiable homeowner information is transmitted. The radio frequency used by the transmitter is a licensed frequency on which only water meters can operate.
Under the new system, all customers will pay for the water they actually use. The City will provide meters to those who were previously on a flat rate system and replace old existing meters with more efficient and up-to-date technology. Being aware of water use - and therefore being able to use water more efficiently - leads to benefits for all Torontonians.

About your free installation appointment

Appointments can be made by calling 416-23-METER (416-236-3837) or online at: Toronto.ca/watermeterprogram. Installations will take from 30 to 90 minutes and someone 18 years or older must be present. There are three different time blocks for appointments Monday to Friday as followed:

• Morning block 8am to 12pm
• Afternoon block 12pm to 4pm
• Evening block 4pm to 8pm

Two additional weekend appointment blocks are also available as followed:

• Morning block 9am to 1pm
• Afternoon 1pm to 6pm

Prior to the installation please verify that your water main shut-off is working properly. If you are unsure how to do this, or the valve is faulty, please inform our operators when scheduling your appointment.

• Only a Neptune installer can upgrade your water meter, and they will arrive at your home with photo ID and in uniform.
• No installer will ask for any money at the door.
• All installations will be done without charge to homeowners.
• All installers are certified and trained to install water meters as per Ontario standards WMI-08.
• The installation will take approximately 90 minutes for new meter installations and 30 minutes for homeowners with existing meters.
• Homeowners can call 416-23-METER (416-236-3837) to verify the identity of an installer. Operators will have access to all installer information, including a photo.

Stringent mandate on Ship Owner’s Liability rules for pollution insurance as voted by House of Commons.

A billed passed on September 18^th of 2014 that could mandate strict rulings on liability and compulsory insurance on ship owners, as well as indemnification of airlines and aviation firms in case of losses incurred from acts of war and terrorism.

If accepted by Senate, bill C-3 would become a new called the ‘Aviation Industry Indemnity Act’, and it would have an impact on laws like the ‘Marine Liability Act’, the ‘Canada Shipping Act’, the ‘Marine Liability Act’, and other acts where hazard components and pollution might be a factor.

Paraphrasing Transport Minister Lisa Raitt on the May 8^th reading of the bill, as of today ship owners are not held to strict liability measures; it is up to the victims to prove fault of negligence on part of the owner of the vessel. These amendments would alleviate the burden carried by victims and make the compensation available guaranteed.

The federal government is proposing to implement within the bill certain provisions from the HNS convention, where it stipulates that the owner of the vessel at the time of the incident “shall be liable for damage caused by any hazardous and noxious substances in connection with their carriage by sea on board the ship” under certain conditions.

Another provision of Bill C-3 would let the federal transport minister “Undertake to indemnify one or more aviation industry participants – or one or more classes of aviation industry participant – against their loss of damage, or liability for loss or damage, that is caused by an event”

The act defines “event” as either “an act of unlawful interference with an aircraft, airport or air navigation facility, including an act of terrorism” or “an act or omission in the course of armed conflict, war, invasion, hostilities, civil war, revolution, rebellion, insurrection, an application of martial law, a usurpation or attempted usurpation of power, a civil commotion or a riot.”

In its definition of “aviation industry participants,” Bill C-3 includes: air carriers; NAV Canada; contractors providing air navigation products and services; airport owners and operators. It also applies to suppliers who “directly support the operation of aircraft from an airport,” such as: freight forwarders; airport security organizations; contractors who maintain and clean aircraft; and contractors who load and unload passengers, baggage and cargo.

Members of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) expressed several misgivings about C-3 but indicated they would support it because it’s an improvement over the status quo.

"In a conflict situation, if airlines stop flying to certain regions for insurance purposes, humanitarian aid might be compromised, as it may no longer be able to get there," said Christine Moore, NDP MP for Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, on Sept. 18. "It might take considerably longer for aid to get there when humanitarian workers have to land in countries that are much further away and travel the rest of the route by land. Providing compensation to the airlines might help keep certain flights to risk areas so that the people can continue to benefit from the humanitarian help they need."

 

Some opposition MPs criticized the bill on the grounds that it does not impose on ship owners a higher amount of strict liability and for not amending the bill to prevent Canadian taxpayers from being on the hook for damages, from spills at sea, of greater than $500 million. The bill underwent hearings last March by the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, but was returned to the Commons with no amendments from the original version tabled in October, 2013.

 

"The liability scheme that was created for this talked about ship owners’ liability limited to $230 million," said Glenn Thibeault, NDP MP for Sudbury, Ont. on Sept. 18. "Damages in excess of ship owners’ liability were to be paid by an international fund, which is that HNS fund, up to a maximum of $500 million."

 

The content was sourced on Sept 19, 2014 by Canadian Underwriter.ca

http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/house-of-commons-votes-to-mandate-strict-liability-pollution-insurance-for-ship-owners/1003261954/

 

Newfoundland judge dismisses moose vehicle collision class action lawsuit

By: The Canadian Press 2014-09-20

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. – A judge in Newfoundland and Labrador has dismissed a class-action lawsuit that claimed the provincial government was negligent by failing to do enough to protect drivers from moose-vehicle collisions.

Provincial Supreme Court Judge Robert Stack delivered his decision Friday, saying the provincial government was not liable for the collisions and implemented an appropriate accident-prevention policy.

Stack's ruling also says that one of the plaintiffs' key witnesses, wildlife expert Dr. Tony Clevenger, was biased, unreliable and provided misleading information.

The class-action lawsuit included people who were seriously injured since 2001 and several estates of those who have been killed.

Ches Crosbie, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs, had argued the province knew for at least 10 years that moose pose a hazard on the highways but did not decide on a specific policy to reduce that risk.

Crosbie issued a statement Friday saying the decision was a ''moral victory'' for the plaintiffs because the government has responded to the lawsuit by taking action to reduce moose-vehicle collisions.

This content was sourced on Sept 19, 2014 by Canadian Underwriter.ca

http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/news/newfoundland-judge-dismisses-moose-vehicle-collision-class-action-lawsuit/1003262586/