Ontario’s Proposed Labour and Employment Reforms

Media reports in CBC and the Toronto Star state that government will take swift action around the final report of the Changing Workplaces Review, which is to be released “after Victoria Day” with reforms the government intends to adopt announced shortly thereafter. Media reports further suggest “it’s not clear whether legislation would be introduced before June 1, when Queen’s Park adjourns for the summer.”

The OCC sent a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne on Monday, May 15, warning against potential changes to Ontario’s Labour Relations Act (LRA) and the Employment Standards Act (ESA), including the introduction of a $15 minimum wage. The OCC is cautioning that these reforms may have unintended consequences impacting job creation and competitiveness, as well discouraging investment in the province.

The potential reforms are coming at a time when costs for consumers and the cost of doing business is high and putting Ontario at a competitive disadvantage. Ontario has experienced slower growth in GDP and job creation than in the past, and drastic reforms to labour and employment run the risk of causing serious damage to the future prosperity of the province.

For more information on how the proposed reforms could affect Ontario’s economy, see our Rapid Policy Update.

Read the OCC’s letter to Premier Wynne here.