The Centre negotiated a settlement for our client with the Ministry of Transportation that affects drivers in Ontario who have a medical history that is no longer relevant to their ability to drive safely. Our client had two medical suspensions from driving as a result of a medical condition, but had regained his driving license after being cleared by his doctor. The problem was that medical suspensions remain on “driver’s abstracts” for three years. Our client was looking for work that involved driving (and employers were asking him for his driver’s abstract).
The results of the settlement mean that the Ministry of Transportation has agreed to a new process which will end the disclosure of “concluded” (i.e. expired) medical information relating to suspensions on driver’s abstracts. The change will be implemented by January 1, 2018. In the interim, any licensed driver who is looking for an abstract that does not include information on expired medical suspensions can contact the Ministry. The change will be reflected on the Ministry’s website once it is implemented.