ARTICLE · 10 AUGUST 2023

Mass Terminations: Proposed Changes In Ontario, And What Employers Should Know

Loopstra Nixon LLP

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With Covid-19 coming to an end, and businesses re-evaluating their internal structures, mass terminations are gaining more traction in the news cycle.

CanadaEmployment and HR

Elliot Saccucci

Nefisa Asong (Student At Law)

With Covid-19 coming to an end, and businesses re-evaluating their internal structures, mass terminations are gaining more traction in the news cycle.

What is a Mass Termination?

In Ontario, according to the Employment Standards Act the "ESA" mass terminations apply when:

The employment of 50 or more employees is terminated at an employer's "establishment", in a four-week period.¹

When a mass termination occurs, employers have special obligations.

New Changes on the Horizon for Ontario

Employers in Ontario should be aware that the term "establishment" could change, because of proposed legislation Bill 79 the Working for Workers Act². Bill 79 was introduced in March 20th, 2023.

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