Ontario Premier Doug Ford spent considerable time Wednesday trying to shut the door on Bill 124, claiming it “doesn’t exist” while his government continues to appeal a court ruling that struck down the legislation.
“Let me be very clear about the people there. You can hear whatever, Bill 124 is repealed,” Ford told reporters at his first press conference of 2023.
Two weeks earlier, the Ontario government formally filed an appeal against a court ruling that found Bill 123 — a law that limits pay increases for most public sector workers to one per cent over three years — unconstitutional. A November 29 ruling found that the bill violated the applicants’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
The same day, the Ford government indicated it would appeal the decision.
The government argued that the court “erred in holding that the financial impact of the Act’s limitations on compensation increases substantially interfered with defendant’s rights to a meaningful collective bargaining process.”
They also claim the judge mischaracterized the reason Bill 124 was introduced to begin with, which they say was to manage the province’s finances.
The prime minister reiterated that argument on Wednesday.
“I always have to be a prudent fiscal manager with the taxpayers’ money,” Ford said. “We just can’t be out there spending recklessly while people are working behind their backs.” They are taxed to the brim right now. They can’t just hand it out, so we have to take everything into account.”
Ford was questioned about Bill 124 amid media reports that the government is aware the legislation could contribute negatively to the health care staffing crisis. He claimed the claim was “inaccurate” as more than 60,000 nurses had been recruited since 2018.
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