Proposed elevator-maintenance law heads for debate amid contractor concerns

To achieve the aim, the bill would amend the definition of a consumer under the Consumer Protection Act to include those who hire elevator-maintenance contractors. The approach would subject contractors to a wide range of punitive measures — such as black-listing, public shaming, or prosecution — that exist under the Consumer Protection Act.

If the bill gets through second reading debate on Thursday, it would then go to committee for fine-tuning before potentially finding its way into law. At that point, the government would need to flesh out the legislation with regulations, which would include setting out circumstances for exemptions to the repair time-limits.

Dong said he doesn’t want independent contractors to fear they are being targeted, adding there would be several opportunities for input before anything becomes finalized.

“I want the bill to be practical and to be fair,” he said. “In essence this bill struck the right balance (and) I’m very comfortable with the current shape.”

The proposed legislation seeks to bridge a glaring gap between current stringent safety regulations and elevator availability where users have little recourse beyond yelling at a building manager, who may be stymied in efforts to get the situation fixed.

Dong said the bill “really resonates” with frustrated users, who see it as long overdue.

The Canadian Press reported last summer on extensive problems in the elevator industry across the country that range from thousands of people getting trapped every year to seniors stuck in their apartments for weeks on end.

A second part of Dong’s bill would make elevator-traffic studies mandatory under the building code, which now requires only that a building of more than seven storeys have at least one elevator.

While private member’s bills seldom make it through the legislature, Ontario Consumer Services Minister Tracy MacCharles has said Dong has done a “great job,” while Opposition Leader Patrick Brown has praised the initiative as a “good idea.”

Colin Perkel, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Proposed elevator-maintenance law heads for debate amid contractor concerns

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