The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) recently announced it is seeking feedback on important changes it suggests are designed to streamline its process. The key proposed changes are as follows: Feedback on these proposed changes can be provided until November 22, 2024 by sending an email to HRTO.registrar@ontario.ca with the subject line “HRTO Consultation.”…
Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update
Reminder to Employers: Ontario to Increase Minimum Wage Effective October 1, 2024
A reminder to employers that the Ontario government will increase the general minimum wage to $17.20 an hour (from $16.55 an hour) effective October 1, 2024. This minimum wage applies to most employees. The minimum wage for the following groups also increases on October 1, 2024: If you have any questions about your obligations in connection…
Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act, 2022 in Force July 1, 2025
The Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act, 2022 (Act) was enacted in April 2022 under the Working For Workers Act, 2022, but was not declared in force at that time. On September 5, 2024, the Ontario government proclaimed the Act, and its associated Regulation will come into force on July 1, 2025. The Act establishes minimum wage and other…
WSIB to Add New Classification Applicable to Temporary Employment Agencies
A recent amendment to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 regulations has resulted in the creation of a new Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) classification which will allow temporary employment agencies (TEAs) to report the supply of administrative, clerical and knowledge-based labour under one classification for premium-setting purposes. This new classification will take…
Federal Pay Equity Commissioner May Now Impose Monetary Penalties for Violations of the Pay Equity Act
Recent amendments to the federal Pay Equity Act (PEA) regulations establish a framework for the imposition of administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) for violations of the PEA. This is a significant development that may result in an employer being penalized if it fails to comply with its obligations, including the requirement to establish a pay equity…
Certain Employment Standards Act, 2000 Amendments Take Effect June 21, 2024
On March 21, 2024, Ontario’s Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 (Bill 149) received Royal Assent. Our FTR Now of that date provided an overview of this legislation. A number of the amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) contained in Bill 149 take effect June 21, 2024 and are outlined below. Effective June 21, 2024:…
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario Releases Guidance on Information-Sharing in Situations of Intimate Partner Violence
In May 2024, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario released Sharing Information in Situations Involving Intimate Partner Violence: Guidance for Professionals (the Guidance). The Guidance was developed as a result of a 2022 coroner’s inquest into three deaths caused by intimate partner violence (IPV). The Guidance is helpful for organizations, service providers and staff…
Update on Federal Pay Equity Plan Posting Extension Requests
As discussed in our March 11, 2024 Human Resources Legislative Update, federally regulated employers are required to post their final pay equity plans and notices of pay increases by September 3, 2024. An employer may file a request for authorization to extend this posting deadline, and guidance documents related to this authorization process are available…
Ontario Budget Bill Receives Royal Assent
As discussed in our April 3, 2024 FTR Now, on March 26, 2024, the Ontario government tabled its 2024 Budget and introduced Bill 180, Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 (Bill 180). Bill 180 received Royal Assent on May 16, 2024. Employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators should be aware of…
The Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent
As discussed in our February 28, 2024 FTR Now, on February 26, 2024 the Ontario government introduced Bill 166, Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 (Bill 166). Bill 166 received Royal Assent on May 16, 2024. Policy Requirements Bill 166 amends the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act (Act) to require every college…