Legislation proposed this week in Ontario would require that workers at temporary help agencies receive equal pay to that of traditionally hired workers. The legislation, called the Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs Act 2017, would also make other changes impact the staffing industry, raise the minimum wage to C$15 per hour, introduce paid personal emergency leave for every worker and increase enforcement of employment laws.

“Our government is making changes to Ontario’s labor laws to better support people who work in temporary help, part-time, minimum wage and contract jobs,” said Harinder Malhi, member of the provincial parliament representing Brampton-Springdale. “Changes like expanded personal emergency leave and increased vacation entitlements will ensure Ontario workers are treated fairly on the job.”

According to an announcement from the Ministry of Labour, the act would:

• Mandate equal pay for temporary help agency employees doing the same job as traditional employees of the agencies' client companies, and equal pay for part-time, casual and seasonal employees doing the same job as traditional employees.
• Require staffing firms to provide temporary help workers with at least one week’s notice when an assignment scheduled to last longer than three months will be terminated early, or to provide a week of work or pay if sufficient notice is not given.
• Raise Ontario’s general minimum wage to C$14 per hour on Jan. 1, 2018, and then to C$15 on Jan. 1, 2019, followed by annual increases at the rate of inflation.
• Establish card-based union certification for the temporary help agency industry.
• Expand personal emergency leave to include an across-the-board minimum of at least 10 days, including two paid days, per year for all workers.
• Bring Ontario’s vacation time into line with the Canadian national average by ensuring at least three weeks’ vacation after five years with the same employer.
• Require employees to be paid for three hours of work if their shift is cancelled within 48 hours of its scheduled start time.

“These changes will ensure every hard-working Ontarian has the chance to reach their full potential and share in Ontario’s prosperity,” said Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn. “Fairness and decency must continue to be the defining values of our workplaces.”