Ending Discrimination

$15 minimum wage and fairer employment coming to Ontario

May 30, 2017

The Canadian Labour Congress joins workers’ advocates celebrating today’s announcement that the Ontario government will raise the provincial minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2019, and reform the province’s employment standards and labour relations laws to improve fairness for all workers.

“Raising the minimum wage to $15 will support millions of Ontario workers – thirty percent of the province – who are currently earning less than that and struggling to afford basic necessities like rent, transportation, and groceries,” said Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff.

Unions also celebrated the announced changes to the Employment Standards Act to make it easier for workers to balance work and family commitments, and make ends meet, including:

  • Equal pay for equal work protections for part-time workers;
  • Fairer rules for scheduling, including a new regulation that will require employers to pay an employee for three hours of work if their shift is cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice;
  • Access to 10 days of Personal Emergency Leave per year (two paid); and
  • Three weeks of paid vacation (up from two) after five years with one employer.

“The Ontario economy is strong and these changes will only make it stronger by supporting workers and their families to make ends meet, decreasing turnover, and increasing productivity,” said Yussuff.

However, Yussuff said there are still areas for improvement. For example, unions had pushed for shifts to be scheduled two weeks in advance, access to paid vacation to start sooner, and better paid time off for workers experiencing domestic violence.

Unions had also hoped the changes would go further to reform the province’s Labour Relations Act. Today’s announcement commits to extending card-check certification to three particularly vulnerable sectors – the temporary help agency industry, the building services sector, and home care and community services – but still leaves other workers open to employer intimidation during a union certification drive.

“There is still work to do, but we’re pleased with the changes announced today and hope this begins a process of further improvements for Ontario workers and their families,” Yussuff said.

 

  • Ending Discrimination
  • Statement on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks

    October 7, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • True reconciliation requires meaningful action, not just symbolic gestures

    September 30, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Global union leaders affirm support for Palestinian trade unions and the Palestinian people

    June 11, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Pride 2024: No one left behind: Equality, freedom, and justice for all

    June 1, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Canada must address systemic racism and discrimination in the workforce

    March 21, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Pink Shirt Day: 2SLGBTQI+ kids should be free to be themselves

    February 28, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Statement by Bea Bruske: Canada’s unions are calling out Alberta Premier’s attempt to use trans and gender-diverse children, youth and adults to score political points

    February 1, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • CLC Executive Committee reiterates its support for ITUC’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

    January 16, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Canada’s unions: confronting hate is a shared responsibility

    December 10, 2023
    Click to open the link