The Consumers Advisory Council is seeking to recruit a member to add to the broad range of public and consumer interests and perspectives on the Council.

The mandate of the Consumers Advisory Council (CAC) is to provide independent, non-partisan advice and guidance on any aspect of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA’s) operations which:

• has an impact on the public or on consumers who are purchasers or users of products and/or devices regulated by TSSA; or
• affects public safety of activities regulated by TSSA.

Such advice and guidance will assist TSSA in successfully achieving its mission to enhance public safety. 

In support of its mandate, the council provides the President and CEO with observations, identifies gaps, and recommends opportunities for improvement with respect to TSSA’s services, policies and actions, including but not limited to TSSA’s:

• reporting of, and response to, safety incidents and trends;
• provision of public safety education; and
• reporting of, and responding to, specific issues and trends.

Visit the TSSA website to access information about the Consumers Advisory Council, including the minutes of past meetings.

If you are interested in applying, please submit a letter of interest and resume later than March 29, 2024. The letter of intent should include a statement of the applicant’s background and interests relevant to the Council, such as relevant previous work, consumer or service advocacy, or volunteerism with consumers, and any special interests in one or more of the technical areas regulated by TSSA or public safety in general. Please submit both the resume and letter of interest to:

Olga Sousa-Dias

(Acting) Council Coordinator

Technical Standards and Safety Authority

345 Carlingview Drive

Toronto, Ontario

M9W 6N9

Tel:  416-734-3320

Fax: 416-231-1060

Email:   tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org

Sign up as a new user to access Portal services & highest-volume applications

The TSSA Client Portal is set to launch in April and will make it easier for regulated industry customers to perform online transactions.            

Here’s what you need to know:

• All customers need to sign up as new users of the TSSA Client Portal before they will be able to conduct any transactions.            
   
• The following online services will be available on the Portal in April:
  • Creating and updating accounts
  • Submit a request to write an exam
  • Viewing exam results
  • Submit and pay for applications         
  • Pay invoices   
     
• The Portal will initially offer access to the highest-volume applications listed in the table below.      
         
• All other applications will continue to be submitted through the Service Prepayment Portal via TSSA’s website until more applications are added to the TSSA Client Portal.

From April 29, 2024, the highest-volume applications will only be available on the TSSA Client Portal. Customers who may have started filling out an existing application will have to complete and submit it via our existing Prepayment portal no later than Friday, April 26. 

List of highest-volume applications on the TSSA Client Portal:

TSSA will be providing multiple resources to help customers navigate the Client Portal. Please watch for future communications on TSSA’s website.

Rebrand signals a fresh approach to promote safety in Ontario

Over the past few months, you have likely noticed a new look for TSSA, including the design and approach of our new website and social media channels. Those changes are part of a larger effort to refresh our brand.

For us, that means we are:

• Changing the way our printed and online materials look so they are more approachable and easier to read
• Signalling that we are approaching our work in fresh, new ways
• Promoting the fact that we are becoming a more modern, collaborative, Outcome-Based Regulator, and
• Demonstrating our redoubled commitment to partnering for a safe Ontario

As long as there are safety concerns in any part of the industries we regulate, we have work to do as a key player in our provincial safety system.

We are using our systems, data and expertise at TSSA to evolve as an organization to provide Ontario with more advanced approaches to safety regulation. We work with all our stakeholders, including contractors, operators, owners, industry experts and the public on improving safety and preventing harm.
 
We are TSSA: Partnering for a Safe Ontario

Related: View the infographic on what an Outcome-Based Regulator means and how this regulatory approach leads to safety outcomes.

As we wrap up 2023, TSSA extends our sincere appreciation to our community of stakeholders, including the Ontario government, Advisory Council members, equipment designers, manufacturers, installers, maintainers, contractors, owners, insurers, consumers, and the public. Thank you for your valuable contributions to our joint safety efforts.

With 2024 on the horizon, we look forward to another year of strong partnership with you to keep Ontario safe today and tomorrow. Wishing you a joyous and safe holiday season and a fabulous 2024! 
 

Holiday Hours

While the office is open to visitors by appointment only, please note the following changes to TSSA’s regular business hours:
- On December 22nd and December 29th, TSSA staff are available from 8 a.m. to noon.
- On December 25th, December 26th, and January 1st, TSSA will be closed.
- On all other business days, you can reach a TSSA representative during regular office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by phone at 1-877-682-8772 or email customerservices@tssa.org. 

Self-service portal will make it easier to submit the most common applications

TSSA is launching its Customer Portal in April 2024, which will make it possible for regulated industry customers to perform online transactions quickly and easily. The portal is the final phase of the OASIS project to modernize TSSA’s systems and an integral part of TSSA’s evolution in managing safety in Ontario as an Outcome-Based Regulator.  

The portal is launching in stages and will enable customers to create and update accounts, submit a request to write an exam, view exam results, see issued orders and eventually view inspection reports and authorizations (permits, licences or certificates). Customers will also be able to submit and pay for applications.

The Customer Portal will initially offer access to TSSA’s highest-volume applications, with more applications to be added throughout the coming year.

All other applications will continue to be accessed through the existing Prepayment Portal linked through TSSA’s website until more applications are added to the Customer Portal in the future.
 
Here’s a look at what customers will be able to do in the new Customer Portal:

TSSA will be providing easy instructions and how-to videos to support customers in using the new portal. We will continue to provide updates on the portal through TSSA’s website, the Safety Dispatch newsletter and other channels.

Streamlined Access to Regulatory Information and Services with an Enhanced User Experience

We are excited to welcome you to TSSA’s new website! Our new site has been carefully designed to provide you – our regulated industry customers and members of the public with an easy and efficient way to access the information, resources and services you’re looking for and a better overall user experience.

We would like to thank all of our stakeholders who have provided valuable feedback throughout various stages of our website journey. Your input has helped to guide the new site structure, navigation, design and content strategy, resulting what we hope you will find is a more engaging, user-focused site.  

• A responsive menu that displays site sections effectively on larger screens and mobile devices
• A document library to search for regulatory documents by keyword and filter by document type and industry 
• Robust site search with filters
• Dashboard landing pages that highlight important, new or updated content for each of TSSA’s regulated industries
• Improved wayfinding through consistency in naming and labels
• Helpful FAQs for specific topics or programs
• Clear information about TSSA’s regulatory scope
• A new section, Consumer Safety, created for the members of the public
• Simplification of the newsroom, subscription to pages, and newsletter

As you navigate TSSA’s new website at www.tssa.org, you’ll find a range of features designed to elevate your browsing experience:

Mastering the new TSSA Website: Your Step-by-Step Guide

We've created a short video that will guide you through our new site and help you make the most of its new features. 

Watch the video and start exploring our website today!

We recognize it’s a big site with a lot of content. Inevitably, you’ll come across things that don’t look right, especially in these early days post-launch. We’ll be spending the next few weeks addressing issues and we appreciate your assistance in reaching out to us at media@tssa.org if you come across anything that needs fixing.

Help Us Continue to Improve Your Experience: Your Feedback Matters

We are grateful for any feedback you might have regarding our new website and you can send your comments to media@tssa.org.