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Ontario Government Announcement on COVID-19 Liability Protection Legislation

By Staff, 10/20/20, 5:45PM EDT

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The Supporting Ontario's Recovery Act, 2020 has passed its first reading and will continue to be debated in the Ontario Provincial Legislature this week.

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Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer and the Government of Ontario, continues to monitor the most recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the resulting public health crisis and Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Plan.

The Government of Ontario announced today that it has tabled the Supporting Ontario's Recovery Act, 2020, which, if passed, will provide liability protection for workers, volunteers and organizations that make an honest effort to follow public health guidelines and laws relating to exposure to COVID-19. At the same time, if passed, it will maintain the right of Ontarians to take legal action against those who willfully, or with gross negligence, endanger others.

The Supporting Ontario's Recovery Act, 2020 would provide targeted protection for those who are making an honest effort to follow public health guidelines and laws, including:

  • Healthcare workers and institutions;
  • Frontline workers who serve the public everywhere from grocery stores to restaurants and retail stores;
  • Businesses and their employees;
  • Charities, non-profit organizations; and
  • Coaches, volunteers and minor sports associations

The Supporting Ontario's Recovery Act, 2020 has passed its second reading and will continue to be debated in the Ontario Provincial Legislature this week.  

This topic has been top of priority among the amateur sports system in Ontario. Ontario Soccer has been actively advocating for months in front of various key decision making bodies to protect all levels of amateur sport who are following Return to Play Safety protocols during this global pandemic.  

Ontario Soccer will update the membership further when more information becomes available.

How do I stay connected to Ontario Soccer?

For further information please refer to the latest bulletins on the COVID-19 Updates page, which has all the latest information from Ontario Soccer, as well as resources for your members. Please consider placing a dedicated link to the COVID-19 Updates on the homepage on your website.

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If you have any questions, please contact Patty Forbes, Director, Administration.