Ontario to raise fines for employers engaging in misconduct

Ontario is cracking down on bad employers with the introduction of new legislation that will see fines increased for violations of the Employment Standards Act. Labour Minister David Piccini announced that the maximum fine for individuals convicted of violating the act will double to $100,000 from $50,000.

The government is targeting “bad actor” employers who exploit workers by failing to pay wages, penalizing employees for taking pregnancy or parental leave, and practicing unequal pay for equal work. Ministry of Labour investigators will now have the authority to impose $5,000 fines for repeat offenders, up from $1,000, with the possibility of multiplying the fines based on the number of employees affected by the violation.

Piccini emphasized the importance of protecting workers as the economy grows and attracts investments. He stated, “We’re sending a clear message that as our economy grows and we attract all these incredible investments, we’re going to protect workers.” The government’s enforcement blitzes in recent years have identified several bad actors who have exploited workers.

A recent ministry investigation revealed that 10,000 Ontario workers are collectively owed $4.2 million. This alarming statistic has prompted the government to take further action to safeguard workers in the province. The new fines are part of a comprehensive labour bill that will also provide wildland firefighters with the same coverage for cancer, heart issues, and post-traumatic stress as municipal firefighters. Additionally, the bill will introduce a new high school apprenticeship pathway to address the demand for skilled trades and eliminate sick note requirements for short absences to reduce the burden on family doctors.