As of January 1, 2023, certain “business consultants” and “information technology consultants” in Ontario have been exempt from the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). These exemptions are part of the numerous amendments made to the ESA following the enactment of Bill 88, Working for Workers Act, 2022.
On September 13, 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared September 19, 2022, a federal holiday and National Day of Mourning in Canada to honor the life and mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Employers in Ontario have been waiting for clarification on the interpretation of COVID-19 leave provisions throughout much of the pandemic. Employers had hoped that the Court of Appeal’s decision in Taylor v Hanley Hospitality Inc. would provide clarity on the implications of Employment Standards Act, 2000 infectious disease emergency leave (IDEL) on an employee’s employment status.
On March 9, 2022, the Ontario government announced a plan to bring an end to all COVID-19 restrictions by April 27, 2022. Here is a summary of the upcoming employment-related changes.
On February 28, 2022, the Government of Ontario introduced Bill 88, the Working for Workers Act, 2022. Bill 88 would enact the Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act, 2022, which would establish rights for workers who offer services through digital platforms. In addition, Bill 88 would amend a number of statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
