Bill 148, The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs
Act, 2017 received Royal Assent on November
27, 2017. This legislation would include significant amendments to
the Employment Standards Act, 2000
(the "ESA"), the Occupational Health and Safety
Act and the Labour Relations Act. The
changes will affect all provincially- regulated employers in the
Province of Ontario, both unionized and non-unionized. A summary of
the changes to the ESA is set out below.
Ontario Employment Standards Act,
2000
The amendments to the ESA reflect the government of
Ontario's intention to protect workers who are classified as
other than full-time regular employees, for instance, temporary
agency workers and contractors. Additionally, employees will enjoy
greater rights such as increased minimum wage, two paid personal
emergency leave days per year, and greater paid vacation
entitlements.
