Philly.com

Loblaws has made a decision to stay open at its three Zehrs Great Foods outlets in Windsor and nearby Kingsville, at two Real Canadian Superstore outlets in Windsor and at Loblaws in Chatham, Leamington and Sarnia. It sets a precedent and tone for the imminent strike date of Sunday, July 5, 2015 here in Toronto. The Loblaws stores on Moore Ave and Redway Drive will most certainly be among those struck if the union so decides. It has a mandate but some workers are prepared to cross the picket line. Loblaws says it will employ modified staff, have shorter hours and a reduction of some in-store services. The union has said the key issues in the dispute are wages, work schedules, benefits and limits on third party providers.

Globe and Mail 

A 13-year-old Ontario boy has died of what is being called “medical distress” during a soccer game in the town of Drayton about 30 km northwest of Guelph. OPP, Mapleton Fire Rescue and Guelph Wellington EMS were called just before 8 p.m. on Canada Day to a soccer pitch on Wellington St. in Drayton, in Mapleton Township. CPR was done at the scene by bystanders and the boy was taken to hospital where he later died. An autopsy is being done today (Thursday, July 2, 2015)

TORONTO, ON–(Marketwired – July 01, 2015) – Ontario’s home buyers and sellers are now permitted to use electronic signatures on real estate agreements of purchase and sale, thanks to legislation from the Government of Ontario that takes effect today.

“The agreement of purchase and sale is one of the most important documents in a real estate transaction,” said Patricia Verge, Ottawa-area REALTOR® and president of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). “The ability to sign it electronically will make the process of buying or selling more efficient. This is great news for REALTORS® as well as consumers across the province.”

Electronic signatures on agreements of purchase and sale will significantly reduce the time required to process a deal. At present, agreements of purchase and sale are often faxed, scanned and emailed numerous times over the course of a transaction.

“This process can be cumbersome and by the time the final version is signed, the agreement can be difficult to read,” said Verge. “The technology allows agreements to be filled out on a computer or tablet, changes can be tracked and documents can be transmitted with ease.”

The government’s decision comes in the form of proclamation of a 2013 amendment to the Electronic Commerce Act, 2000 (ECA), which extended the legal protections of the Act to include electronic real estate agreements of purchase and sale. The Ministry of the Attorney General is responsible for the ECA. The Ministry led the consultations and approved the final proclamation of the amendment.

“Buying or selling a home is one of the most complex, time-consuming transactions that most people make — it’s also one of the most important,” said Attorney General, Madeleine Meilleur. “I hope that this change will open the door to new and innovative processes that will ultimately make the experience easier and less stressful for families.”

“The government has taken the time to get this issue right,” said Verge. “Extensive consultations were hosted to ensure that both the industry as well as the public were well served by the move to electronic signatures. Thank you to Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur for her leadership on this important issue.”

It may be of interest to those who really need a big shop that Loblaws is open today at 60 Carlton St. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Summerhill Market is “partially open” today until 8 p.m. Partially open refers to the amount of floor space a grocery may permit you to walk on during a statutory holiday. Yes, it is a wonderful country but in Ontario at least it has a few unfair laws (as the Charter of Rights might put it). Enjoy all.