On September 17, 2012, the Ministry of Labour announced $3 million for proactive enforcement of employment standards in Ontario workplaces.
As we reported 
in May 2012, after a vibrant campaign by the Workers’ Action Centre to stop cuts to employment standards, the McGuinty government committed to restore funding to meet their 2008 Poverty Reduction Strategy promise of $10 million in increased annual funding for employment standards by 2013.
Legislative change also needed to address wage theft
WAC welcomes the new funding and the hiring of new Employment Standards officers. We need to ensure this is a permanent investment, and and the government fulfills its commitment to the remaining $2.5 annual increase to the enforcement budget next year.
We know proactive enforcement is critical in stemming the tide of employment standards violations facing Ontario workers.
However, we also need legislative change to ensure workers are paid their wages and are protected against wage theft.
Several reports released this fall (Law Commission of Ontario, Metcalf Foundation) call for amendments to the Employment Standards Act to address wage theft, such as allowing anonymous complaints, extending the time limits for making complaints, tougher penalties and many other important recommendations.
We need the government to take action to stop wage theft by introducing new protections for Ontario workers. We invite you to join us as we build from this important victory
Join our campaign. Let us know how you would like to get involved here.