Ontario makes announcement about protections for workers

Ontario is proposing new measures that would help protect the province’s vulnerable workers.

During a news conference early Monday in Toronto, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development said the government plans to introduce legislation that, if passed, would require temporary help agencies (THAs) and recruiters to have a licence to operate in the province.

The proposed legislation would allow officers to hand out penalties against unlicensed THAs, recruiters or businesses that use an unlicensed operator.

“From day one, my ministry has worked to ensure any employer who abuses the rights of their workers – no matter their passport – will quickly find our officers at their front door,” said McNaughton in a news release. “Today’s announcement sends a clear message to anyone who still thinks they can break the rules that time is up. This legislation would, if passed, be the toughest of its kind in Canada – ensuring every worker in Ontario has unprecedented protection today and, in the years to come.”

The province is also looking to hire a team of officers that will focus on identifying agencies that are exploiting and trafficking domestic and foreign workers. Many agencies have been caught by ministry officers illegally paying people below the minimum wage and denying other basic employment rights.

The proposed legislation would force agencies and recruiters to be vetted before they receive a licence to operate.

The province says applicants would also need to provide an irrevocable letter of credit, that could be used to repay owed wages to workers.

If the legislation passes, the government hopes to implement the changes as early as 2024.