The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is seeking feedback from temporary employment agencies (TEAs) in response to its new premium rate setting model, originally introduced in 2020. The public consultation will support a review and possible modification of the rate setting approach for the TEA industry. Under the new rate setting model, TEAs…
Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update
OSFI Introduces New Filing Procedure for Certain Applications Submitted by Pension Plan Administrators
On May 2, 2022, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) issued a notice regarding new instruction guides that will be of interest to administrators of pension plans registered under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985. As the notice explains, administrators filing certain applications requiring the Superintendent’s approval will now need to do…
Ontario Tables Budget 2022
On April 28, 2022, the Ontario government tabled its 2022 Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Build. On the same date, Bill 126, Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022 was introduced for first reading. From a human resources perspective, the Budget reviews a number of initiatives previously announced (e.g. general minimum wage to increase to $15.50…
Ontario Exploring Increase to Compensation for Workers Who Become Injured or Ill on the Job
On April, 20, 2022, the Ontario government announced it has directed the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to explore a potential increase in compensation for workers who become injured or ill on the job. Currently, the WSIB provides maximum wage compensation payments which equal 85% of the worker’s net pre-accident earnings. The government and…
Ontario Introduces Firefighter Certification Standards
On April 14, 2022, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 343/22: Firefighter Certification, under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997. The regulation comes into force on July 1, 2022. The regulation sets out the mandatory minimum certification standards and corresponding job performance requirements of firefighters delivering specific fire protection services, together with a compliance…
Ontario Launches Review of Occupational Illnesses
The Ontario government has announced that it has partnered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to launch a review of the province’s occupational illness system. The review will be conducted by an independent research centre (the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital) and will evaluate how occupational illnesses in Ontario…
Updated Guidelines for Employers Subject to the Employment Equity Act
The federal government has updated the following interpretations, policies and guidelines (IPGs) for employers subject to the Legislated Employment Equity Program (LEEP), under the Employment Equity Act (Act). “Communication, Consultation, Collaboration” (IPG 115 ) provides that employers must inform their employees about the purpose of, measures undertaken or planned to implement, and progress made in…
Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2022
On April 5, 2022, the Ontario government announced that the general minimum wage in Ontario will increase from $15.00 to $15.50 per hour on October 1, 2022. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates will also increase on the same date for the following employees: students under age 18: from $14.10 to…
Ontario Tables Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Bill
On March 29, 2022, the Ontario government introduced A Plan to Stay Open which sets out healthcare initiatives to ensure the healthcare system is better able to respond to a crisis, among other things. On the same day, it tabled Bill 106, Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022 (Bill 106), omnibus legislation which gives effect…
Bill 88 Referred to Committee with Public Hearings to be Held on March 28 and 29: Note Quick Deadline for Request to Make Submissions
On March 23, 2022, Bill 88, Working for Workers Act, 2022, was carried on division at Second Reading and referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. The Committee will be holding public hearings on the Bill in Toronto on Monday, March 28 and Tuesday, March 29, 2022. For those parties who wish to be…