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Ontario to Raise Minimum Wage to $15 an HourAs part of the 2021 Fall Economic Statement, the Ontario government introduced legislation that, if passed, would raise the general minimum wage from $14.35 to $15 per hour effective January 1, 2022. Under the proposed changes, the special minimum wage rate for liquor servers would be eliminated and they would be entitled to the general minimum wage. Students under 18, homeworkers and hunting, fishing and wilderness guides would also see an increase in their special minimum wage rates. Learn more |
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Creating a Better Future for WorkersThe Ontario government has introduced legislation that, if passed, would better protect, support, and attract workers to the province. These proposed new measures position Ontario as a first mover in charting the path forward as the way people work changes. The proposed changes would promote healthy work-life balance and will further enable competitiveness by banning unfair non-compete agreements that are used to restrict work opportunities, suppress salary increases and wage growth. Learn more |
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Helping Newcomers Start Their CareersOntario is proposing to help address the provincewide labour shortage by making it easier for internationally trained immigrants to start careers in their profession. Legislation introduced last month would, if passed, help remove many significant barriers internationally trained immigrants face, such as the requirement for Canadian work experience, when attempting to get licensed in certain regulated professions and trades such as law, accounting, architecture, engineering, electrical and plumbing. Learn more |
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Improving Washroom Rights for Truck Drivers and Delivery WorkersThe Ontario government has introduced legislation that, if passed, would allow delivery workers access to company washrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up items. Consultations conducted by the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee have indicated that couriers, truck drivers, and people who deliver food, including those for online delivery platform companies such as SkipTheDishes, are often denied use of a washroom at businesses they serve. Learn more |
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Taking Steps to Protect Temporary Help Agency WorkersOntario wants to require temporary help agencies (THAs) and recruiters to have a licence to operate in the province. These changes are part of proposed legislation that would, if passed, enable officers to levy penalties against an unlicensed THA or recruiter or a business who is using an unlicensed operator. As well, those who use deceitful recruiters could be required to repay workers for illegal fees charged. Ontario is also proposing to hire a dedicated team of officers to crack down on THAs and recruiters who are exploiting and trafficking domestic and foreign workers. Learn more |
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Training Indigenous People for Construction Careers in KenoraThe Ontario government is investing more than $3.7 million to train 110 members of Treaty #3 First Nations communities for rewarding careers in construction. Through this investment, participants will gain the skills they need to start well-paying jobs twinning the TransCanada Highway 17 as construction craft workers, heavy equipment operators, general construction workers, and concrete workers. Some of these jobs pay as high as $44 an hour. Learn more |
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Connecting Newcomers to Skilled Trades OpportunitiesThe Ontario government is investing over $900,000 to connect 900 new immigrants across the province with well-paying jobs as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, welders, chefs and other in-demand trades. Through the free, virtual workshops, newcomers will receive the training and job connections needed to enter rewarding careers. Learn more |
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WSIB Providing Financial Relief to EmployersThe Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is reducing average premium rates by 5.1% in 2022 leaving $168 million in the economy. Ontario has introduced a regulation to cap the growth in maximum insurable earnings in 2022 to an increase of 3.2 per cent and has introduced legislation that, if passed, would:
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WSIB Seeking Occupational Disease ExpertsThe WSIB is seeking experts for a Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease. The table will provide scientific advice to support WSIB policy development and other matters. The deadline to apply is December 7, 2021. Learn more |
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WSIAT: Access to Justice Symposium – December 15The Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) will host a virtual Access to Justice Symposium for representatives, parties and other interested stakeholders on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. David Corbett, Deputy Attorney General of Ontario, will open the program as the keynote speaker. More information |
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IWH: Study Findings Focus on Worker Mental HealthInstitute for Work & Health (IWH) news and updates:
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WSN: Free workplace mental health webinars and resourcesWorkplace Safety North (WSN) news and updates: |
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IHSA: Latest magazine available onlineThe latest issue of the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association’s IHSA.ca Magazine contains current and relevant health and safety information for the construction, electrical and transportation sectors. Order free copies or download electronic copies at IHSA.ca to receive injury prevention tips, enforcement blitz announcements and regulatory updates. Learn more |
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CRE-MSD: Webinar – November 30Join CRE-MSD and health and safety system partners on November 30 to hear Dr. Maral Babapour present Transitioning Out of the Pandemic: Expected Work Environment Challenges and Opportunities in a Hybrid Work Era. This webinar examines perceived and expected challenges and opportunities, based on focus group discussions conducted with public service employees in Sweden. Register Now |
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Court bulletinsView bulletins on recent court decisions that resulted in fines and other penalties under Ontario’s workplace laws. Read more |
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