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ARTICLE · 27 DECEMBER 2018

More Changes To Ontario Workplace Laws Proposed With Bill 66

Stikeman Elliott LLP
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On December 6, 2018, yet another proposal to reform employment standards legislation in Ontario was announced by the Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade through An Act to restore Ontario's competitiveness by amending or repealing certain Acts (Bill 66).

CanadaEmployment and HR
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Stikeman Elliott LLP
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On December 6, 2018, yet another proposal to reform employment standards legislation in Ontario was announced by the Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade through An Act to restore Ontario's competitiveness by amending or repealing certain Acts ( Bill 66).

Bill 66 includes a series of amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 ("ESA") and Labour Relations Act, 1995 ("LRA"). Among the most significant changes for Ontario workplaces are the following:

Proposed ESA Changes

  • Overtime Averaging. The current requirement under the ESA to obtain approval from the Director of Employment Standards for any overtime averaging agreements will be repealed. Overtime averaging allows an employer to average their employees' hours of work over two or more weeks, in order to determine entitlements to overtime pay. If Bill 66 receives Royal Assent, employers will instead be permitted to enter into overtime averaging agreements with

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