Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Invites Comments on Proposed Changes to Employment Standards Act, 2000 Leave Provisions
Date: December 5, 2024
On December 3, 2024, Ontario’s government announced that it is seeking feedback on important amendments proposed to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) if the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 (Bill 229) passes.
As discussed in our FTR Now of November 28, 2024, Bill 229 would:
- introduce a new placement of a child leave, entitling an employee with at least 13 weeks of service to an unpaid leave of up to 16 weeks after the placement or arrival of a child into the employee’s custody, care and control through adoption or surrogacy, which would align with an upcoming 15-week employment insurance (EI) benefit entitlement for adoptive and surrogacy parents
- introduce a new long-term illness leave, entitling an employee with at least 13 weeks of service to an unpaid leave of up to 27 weeks if the employee is unable to perform the duties of their position because of a serious medical condition, which would align with the 26-week EI sickness benefit entitlement
The government is inviting comments on these proposed changes until January 2, 2025. Update: this date has since been amended to December 10, 2024.
Should you wish to provide feedback on these proposed changes and require assistance, please contact your regular Hicks Morley lawyer.
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP. ©
