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Decision of STEO Trial
On Friday, September 5, 2014, Mr. Justice Charles T. Hackland issued a decision that the Ministry of Education's motion for "leave to appeal" was denied. The Ministry was appealing an earlier court decision which allowed STEO bus operators' claims against the Ministry, to go to trial. Justice Hackland upheld the earlier court decision saying that the Plaintiffs' claims were not plainly and obviously untenable. He agreed that a trial is required for the purpose of creating a full factual record.
The Plaintiffs' argue that the Ministry is unlawfully discriminating against them by directly involving itself in the School Boards' implementation of the competitive procurement process by insisting on the RFP approach and in designing RFP bid documentation and generally excluding, or forcing the School Boards to exclude other modalities of procurement. In doing so, the Plaintiffs allege that the Ministry is breaching or encouraging the School Boards to breach their statutory duties under the Act and the Directive. The Ministry denies doing this, thus creating a trial to hear necessary findings of fact.
To read the full and factual decision by Justice Hackland, please visit the OSBA website under the "Competitive Procurement" tab from the home page, http://www.osba.on.ca/competitive-procurement.
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MTO Offers Help Sessions for DCP Training Curriculum Development
As reported previously in this newsletter, MTO has extended the deadline to March 31, 2015 for Recognized Authorities (RA's) to submit their new training curriculum based on the new training standards issued to RA's in December 2013. To assist RA's in this regard, MTO is offering to conduct hands-on sessions to help those who have questions around curriculum development. Sessions will be a "drop-in" format where RA's/SA's can bring their own curriculum and review it with MTO staff. Times will be 10 am to 3 pm. Dates and locations will be arranged and an email distributed as each is confirmed. If your organization would like to host a session in your region please contact Mary Jane Bauer at etotraining@ontario.ca.
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Sinton Landmark Recognizes Drivers During School Bus Safety Week
Sinton Landmark provides recognition to drivers during this week by hosting breakfast events at its four branches. The agenda for the events includes: 1) a thank-you to all drivers for the vital work they do and, 2) celebrating drivers who achieved a safe driving award during the 2013-2014 school year. A very strict criteria is in place for the safe driving awards. Each driver who is eligible receives a customized pin noting their years of safety and a letter honoring their achievements. In 2014, the highest award was 41 years! Quite an amazing achievement for driver Marion Lickiss.
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MTO Announces Proposed Fee for Licence Upgrades and Renewals Under Driver Certification Program (DCP)
MTO has announced that the proposed fee under the revamped DCP program will be $20 for each licence upgrade or renewal. The fee is expected to be implemented on January 1, 2015. As the fee must be established by Regulation, the proposed fee is currently posted for public comment on the Government of Ontario Regulatory Registry website at: http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=16462&language=en. The fee comes as no surprise to Recognized Authorities given that MTO announced over two years ago that fees would be somewhere between $18 and $22 per upgrade or renewal.
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Reminder - Highlight Your School Bus Safety Week Initiatives Here...
School Bus Safety Week (SBSW) is an excellent way for everyone - parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other interested parties - to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety. Sometimes it seems that few people know about the many incredible efforts and activities that OSBA members carry out to highlight and recognize their people, organizations and the overall significance of safety during this important week. As SBSW approaches, please send us a quick email or article for inclusion in this newsletter to info@osba.on.ca.
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Upcoming Events
OSBA Webinar
Oct. 15
National School Safety Week
Canada Safety Council (CSC)
Oct. 17-23
P.R.I.D.E. Program
Oct. 19-24
School Bus Safety Week
Oct. 20-24
School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Oct. 22
OSBA Webinar
Dec. 10
Ontario Transportation Expo (OTE)
Apr. 12-15, 2015
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