Ontario Seeking Input to Protect Workers and Support Business
Press Release
Consultations to Help Address the Changing Workplace
July 27, 2016 12:57 P.M.
Ontario has launched the next phase of consultations on employment and labour laws that will protect workers while supporting businesses in the changing economy.
The consultations will seek feedback on the Changing Workplace Review Interim Report, released today. The interim report, written by special advisors C. Michael Mitchell and John C. Murray, outlines the review’s findings to date on ways the Labour Relations Act, 1995, andEmployment Standards Act, 2000, could enhance protections for workers and supports for business in Ontario’s evolving workforce.
Following these consultations, the special advisors will provide the government with a final report and recommendations to help inform changes to modernize the province’s employment and labour laws.
Ontarians can provide feedback on the interim report via e-mail or mail-in submissions. Aguide to the complete list of issues canvassed by the special advisors is available to accompany the report. The deadline for submissions is October 14, 2016. Submissions specifically relating to the subject of Personal Emergency Leave must be completed by August 31, 2016.
Modernizing Ontario’s employment and labour laws is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts
- Ontario’s review of the province’s labour laws is supported by the recommendations from the Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Expert Panel that will help both businesses and workers by improving opportunities for students, new immigrants and adults transitioning in the labour market.
- The review of the province’s labour laws also complements Ontario’s five-year, $400 million Business Growth Initiative, which is helping to grow the economy and create jobs by promoting an innovation-based economy, helping small companies to scale up and modernizing regulations for businesses.
- The Changing Workplaces Review is the first comprehensive review of Ontario’s Labour Relations Act, 1995, and Employment Standards Act, 2000.
- The Changing Workplaces Review Interim Report identifies approximately 50 issues and over 225 options of varying size and scope.
- The Special Advisors have heard more than 200 presentations and received roughly 300 submissions to date from various groups of stakeholders including labour, employer, employee-advocacy and other groups and individuals.
- Consultations for the Changing Workplaces Review were conducted in 12 public sessions throughout Ontario between June and September of 2015.
Additional Resources
- Read the Guide to the Changing Workplaces Review Interim Report
- Read the Changing Workplaces Review Interim Report
- The Special Advisors to the Review
Quotes
“Updating legislation to reflect Ontario’s evolving workforce is a complex and important task, and the interim report will help to focus this conversation. I want to urge anyone who has thoughts on these topics to take part in the upcoming consultations. It is critical that we have laws in place that protect workers and support business so Ontario can remain a place where workers feel safe and protected and businesses can reach their full potential, continue to create jobs and help our economy grow.”
Kevin Flynn
Minister of Labour
Media Contacts
Janet Deline
Communications Branch
416-326-7405
Craig MacBride
Minister’s Office
416-326-7709
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