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ARTICLE · 17 DECEMBER 2013

Ontario Government Proposes Major Changes To Workplace Legislation

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On December 4, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 146, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2013.

CanadaEmployment and HR
Daniel Pugen
Daniel Pugen
Matthew Demeo
Matthew Demeo
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On December 4, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 146, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2013. Bill 146 implements some of the recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission of Ontario that submitted a report on vulnerable workers.

Although the bill has just been introduced, if it passes through the legislature and then receives royal assent, it will have a significant impact on workplace regulation in Ontario. Some of the key proposed changes (which are summarized in detail here) include the following:

  • More ESA claims. The elimination of the $10,000 cap on unpaid wages claims under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and an increase in the time limit for wage claims from 6 months (or 12 months for vacation pay) to 2 years. This has the potential to increase the amount of claims filed with the the Ministry of Labour (MOL) and the amounts ordered by the MOL against employers.

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