Ontario to increase fines for ‘bad actor’ employers
Ontario is gearing up to crack down on unethical employers through hefty fines.
According to Labour Minister David Piccini, the government plans to unveil legislation next week aimed at boosting fines for breaches of the Employment Standards Act.
Piccini asserts that this move is a clear signal to employers engaging in misconduct that there will be harsher penalties for mistreating workers.
The focus is on rooting out companies that flout regulations by withholding wages, discriminating against employees on pregnancy or parental leave, or practicing unequal pay for equal work.
Under the proposed changes, the maximum fine for individuals found guilty of violating the act will double from $50,000 to $100,000.
Additionally, Ministry of Labour investigators will be empowered to impose $5,000 fines for repeat offenses, a significant increase from the previous $1,000 penalty. These fines can escalate depending on the number of employees affected by the violation of the law.
The upcoming labor omnibus bill, scheduled for introduction in the legislature on Monday, encompasses several significant changes.
One notable provision is the extension of cancer, heart, and post-traumatic stress coverage to wildland firefighters, aligning their benefits with those of municipal firefighters. Additionally, the province plans to establish a novel high school apprenticeship track to address the increasing need for skilled trades workers.
Furthermore, the government intends to eliminate the need for sick notes for minor absences, aiming to alleviate the burden on overburdened family physicians.
