On November 27, 2024, the Ontario government introduced the Working for Workers Six Act (Bill 229), which builds off the government’s previous Working for Workers acts and proposes additional amendments to the Employment Standards Act (ESA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), and other statutes.

A preview of the proposed amendments are as follows:

Employment Standards Act, 2000

• Introduction of a new parental leave (up to 16 weeks of unpaid leave) for parents through adoption or surrogacy.
• Introduction of a new long-term illness leave (up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave), if a worker cannot perform their job due to a serious medical condition (e.g. cancer, multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s).

Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

• Enforcement of a minimum fine of $500,000 on any corporation convicted of a second or subsequent offence within two years under the OHSA that results in the death or serious injury of one or more workers.
• Employers will be responsible for ensuring that personal protective clothing and equipment fit properly and suit the work performed including an explicit requirement for properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) for women, and all workers with diverse body shapes.

Additional Statutory Amendments

• Amendment to the Highway Traffic Act, imposing further requirements for drivers when a work vehicle is stopped on a highway.
• Amendment to the Ontario Immigration Act (OIA) that restricts individuals from misrepresenting themselves in applications, either verbally or in writing.

While these changes are only in the proposal stage, we will keep you updated on any developments as Bill 229 progresses through the legislative process.

Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!

This blog was written by Dahlia Shabsove, HR Advisor for MaxPeople.
For more information about fractional HR services, email [email protected] or call 1.888.709.1236