New laws and rules coming to Ontario next month

The end of the year is rapidly approaching, but a few more new laws and rules will take effect in Ontario before 2025 comes to a close.

From expanded leave entitlements to holiday travel updates, here are all the new rules coming into effect next month that you need to be aware of.

Here are the new laws and rules coming to Ontario in December 2025.

Content warning: This article includes discussion of pregnancy loss, including stillbirth.

Permanent federal controls for sedative drug

Earlier this week, Canada's Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel revealed permanent controls, which are set to take effect on Dec. 19, 2025, for carisoprodol, a sedative drug that has been found in illegal drug markets worldwide.

While carisoprodol is used in certain countries as a muscle relaxant, it is not authorized for sale in Canada. Under the new regulations, anyone found conducting unauthorized activities with the drug could face penalties under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.

"Today's announcement sends a clear message to organized crime — Canada is committed to eliminating illegal drugs and to keeping our communities safe," said Canada's Fentanyl Czar, Kevin Brosseau, earlier this week. "We will continue to take action to control substances linked to the illegal drug market."

Temporary controls were already put in place on Feb. 27 for a one-year emergency basis, and since then, the federal government says border enforcement has been able to prevent illegal shipments of the drug from entering Canada.

Expanded leave entitlements for federally regulated workplaces

The Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, received royal assent back in June 2024 and includes several amendments to the Canada Labour Code. The changes will provide workers in federally regulated workplaces the right to take a leave of absence from employment after experiencing a pregnancy loss.

Workers will be eligible to take this leave if their pregnancy does not result in a live birth, the pregnancy of their spouse or common-law partner does not result in a live birth, or they intended to be the legal parent of the child that would have been born to another person, like a surrogate.

"If the pregnancy resulted in a stillbirth, that is, the complete expulsion or extraction of a foetus from a person on or after the 20th week of pregnancy or after the foetus has attained at least 500g, without any breathing, beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or movement of voluntary muscle from the foetus after the expulsion or extraction, the employee will be eligible for a leave of up to eight weeks," the federal government notes.

"In any other case of a pregnancy loss, leave is available for up to three days. In either case, employees are entitled to be paid for the first three days of the leave if they have completed at least three consecutive months of employment. The leave can be used once per pregnancy; no annual limit applies."

Other amendments will entitle federal employees to rights and assign them obligations that are typical of long-term leaves under the Code. An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Labour Code (formerly Bill C-3) includes an amendment to bereavement leave that will allow employees to take bereavement leave for up to eight weeks in the event of the death of their child or the child of their spouse or common-law partner.

"These rights and obligations include the right to receive notice of employment opportunities while on leave, resume employment in the same position or in a similar position after the leave, retain benefits while on leave, and change the length of the leave provided adequate notice is given to the employer," the federal government notes.

The amendments related to pregnancy loss and bereavement leave are set to come into force on Dec. 12, 2025, or on an earlier day decided by the Governor in Council.

Vacant Home Tax

The City of Toronto announced earlier this month that its online portal for residential property owners to submit their 2025 Vacant Home Tax declarations is open. While declarations can be made on the portal by April 30, 2026, property owners should keep in mind that they must file a declaration for the 2025 occupancy period (which ranges from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025).

The Vacant Home Tax applies to residential properties in the city that were unoccupied for more than six months during the previous calendar year, unless the property is the owner's principal address or is occupied by an eligible resident.

Property owners who do not submit a declaration might have their property deemed vacant and the tax applied.

Renewed Canada Strong Pass

In October, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government would be renewing the Canada Strong Pass for the holidays and through summer 2026, so that people can explore the country with lower costs.

The pass allows you to enjoy free or discounted admission to some of Canada's most iconic places, and was first introduced this past summer. The pass includes free admission with Parks Canada, discounts on overnight stays, free or reduced admission at museums and galleries, as well as free and discounted travel with VIA Rail.

The Canada Strong Pass will officially be renewed from Dec. 12, 2025, to Jan. 15, 2026, and again for summer 2026.

The pass isn't actually a physical pass you have to sign up for or purchase; all you have to do is visit a participating Parks Canada site, gallery, VIA Rail, or museum to take advantage of free admissions or discounts.