The Ontario government has announced the dates and locations of the first public consultations being undertaken for its review of labour laws, the Changing Workplaces Review (CWR). The dates and locations are as follows: To register to make a presentation at the consultations, email CWR.SpecialAdvisors@ontario.ca or call 1-888-868-5844. These public consultations are an important opportunity… contine reading
Migrant Workers
Executive Summary now available: Still Working on the Edge
An executive summary is now available for the groundbreaking report released by the Workers’ Action Centre on March 31, Still Working on the Edge: Rebuilding Decent Jobs from the Ground Up. Download and share widely! The Ontario government has launched a review of the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act, during which it will… contine reading
“$15 and Fairness” campaign launched
WAC joined allies from across Canada and North America to launch the “Fight for $15 and Fairness” campaign. Toronto-area workers rallied for decent work with actions at the Ministry of Labour offices on University Avenue, at Pearson International Airport and at McDonald’s Canada headquarters. “Current employment and labour laws are so full of holes and… contine reading
New Report Released: Still Working on the Edge
The Ontario government has launched a review of the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act, during which it will undertake “consultations on the changing nature of modern workplaces”. Members of the Workers’ Action Centre have spent the past year, building upon previous research, identifying key problems workers are facing in the labour market… contine reading
The Harper government is scheduling a mass deportation of migrant workers starting April 1st
As of April 1st, 2015, all low-waged migrant workers employed under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program and Live-In Caregiver / Caregiver Program who have worked in Canada for more than four years will be banned from continuing to work here and forced to leave. They will also be barred from returning to Canada as workers… contine reading
Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014: How the laws have changed
Following years of hard work and organizing by Workers’ Action Centre members and their allies, Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, became law on November 20, 2014. The Act makes several important changes to the laws governing working conditions for people in Ontario, including better provisions to curb wage theft, increased protections… contine reading
WAC Members Speak Out, Win Improvements to Employment Laws
Thanks to years of hard work by WAC members and their allies, Bill 18 has been adopted by the Ontario Legislative Assembly. The bill introduces changes that will help curb wage theft, better protect temp agency workers and peg the minimum wage to annual increases in the cost of living. WAC members and allies made… contine reading
Urgent Action Required on Bill 18
We have to act fast to get amendments that will strengthen Bill 18 for all workers. As expected, Bill 18 – the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014 is moving very quickly. It was referred to the Standing Committee on General Government on Tuesday, and hearings will take place on Thursday, October 30. Any… contine reading
New WAC factsheet: Undocumented Workers Rights at Work
Even if a person is undocumented, without status or a valid work permit they are still covered under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA). They can seek unpaid wages and other entitlements through a claim at the Ministry of Labour. However, the greatest risk in fighting for unpaid wages or filing a complaint as an… contine reading
Wage theft and minimum wage bills re-introduced
Responding to workers’ organizing for decent work, the Ontario government re-introduced legislation to index the minimum wage to inflation and and bring in new protections against wage theft. The new bill introduces many changes that Workers’ Action Centre members and supporters across the province have been calling for. If passed the new legislation would:… contine reading