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Ontario raised minimum wage October 1Increase to $16.55 an hour follows passage of government’s third Working for Workers Act. Learn more |
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Ontario strengthening occupational illness protectionsThe Ontario government is protecting and supporting workers by committing to create Canada’s first-ever Occupational Exposure Registry to track harmful exposure levels, help diagnose workplace diseases faster, improve worker compensation, and reduce costs to the healthcare system. The registry will help address many of the 41 recommendations resulting from the province’s first-ever review of the occupational illness landscape, released in a report. Learn more |
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Ontario training Indigenous people for in-demand jobsThe Ontario government is investing $7.3 million in eight innovative training projects to support Indigenous people across Northern Ontario. The programs will prepare 1,700 workers for rewarding careers in their communities in critical sectors like mining, logging, construction, healthcare, and tourism, and help fill the region’s 17,000 vacant jobs. Learn more |
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Ontario helping Indigenous people in Thunder Bay train as carpentersThe Ontario government is expanding Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services (KKETS) training programs to include in-class apprenticeship training for carpentry. This program will provide jobseekers in Matawa First Nations communities an opportunity to get state-of-the-art training in an in-demand sector and pursue rewarding and well-paying careers close to home. Learn more |
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Ontario moves WSIB head office to LondonThe Ontario government is moving forward with the relocation of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s (WSIB) head office to London, announcing the selection of the new location at 300 Tartan Drive. The move is expected to bring a $100 million boost to the London area and comes as the agency renews its focus on increasing support for injured workers and improving services to businesses. Learn more |
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Webinar: Employment Standards Act overview for employeesWe’ve added more dates for our popular webinar to better understand your rights under the Employment Standards Act. Attend over Zoom on October 25 or November 23. Register now |
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October is Disability Employment Awareness MonthDisability Employment Awareness Month presents an opportunity to discuss, explore and collaborate to solve the critical issue of inclusive hiring. In Ontario, employers have a responsibility to make their employment practices accessible to meet the needs of employees and job applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability, there are employment supports to help you find work, keep a job, start a business or advance your career. Learn about accessible workplaces | Learn about employment supports |
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Small Business Week: October 15-21It’s Small Business Week in Canada. In Ontario, 95% of business have fewer than 50 employees and almost half of workers are employed by small businesses, according to Statistics Canada. These programs and tools are designed to help small businesses keep their workplaces safe and healthy.
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Take Our Kids to Work Day: November 1On November 1, people across the province will be bringing Grade 9 students into work with them. While this day is about exploring the career options available to them, it’s also never too early to start teaching our emerging young workers about their rights to safety and fair treatment at work. If you have a Grade 9 in your life, these resources may help. Practice Safe Work | Employment standards rights |
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Fall back safely this autumnClocks across Ontario will “fall back” to standard time on November 5. The abrupt shift in daylight hours can lead to reduced visibility during the evening hours, increasing the risk of accidents for drivers, cyclists, outdoor workers and pedestrians. As we move into fall, people are also spending more time together indoors, increasing the risk of respiratory viruses. Check out these safety resources to prepare for the fall season: |
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National Skilled Trade and Technology Week: November 5-11The goal of this week-long event is to promote and explore the many career opportunities in skilled trades and technology in Canada. Level Up! is a series of dynamic, multi-day career fairs highlighting the 144 skilled trades in Ontario. Since September, students in grades 7 to 12, as well as parents and jobseekers, have been learning about these trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers. Find a career fair | Learn about the skilled trades |
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AODA reporting for agencies, boards and commissionsUnder the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), designated public sector organizations, including municipalities, agencies, boards, commissions and other organizations identified in Schedule 1 of Ontario Regulation 191/11 or Table 1 of Ontario Regulation 146/10, must file an accessibility compliance report every two years. The current deadline is December 31, 2023. If you have 20 or more employees, and your organization is not included in the report of another organization, such as a ministry or municipality, you must report as a business or non-profit organization. You can request an AODA identifier from the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility if you don’t have a business number. Do not use the business number of another entity. Learn more | Request an ADOA identifier |
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WSIAT: Access to Justice SymposiumThe WSIAT will host its 2nd Access to Justice Symposium on October 23, 2023. The Honourable Thomas Cromwell, former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, will be the keynote speaker and other notable guests include David Corbett, Deputy Attorney General. Participants can join the symposium virtually over Zoom or attend in person at the WSIAT's office in Toronto (limited number of seats available). English captioning and interpretation in both official languages will be available through Zoom. Registration is free and open to anyone interested in access to justice in the administrative justice sector. Learn more and register |
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CRE-MSD: October conference kicks off Global Ergonomics MonthCRE-MSD kicked off Global Ergonomics month on October 2 with its annual conference, this year focusing on ‘Ergonomics as a Key Component in Business’. Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer Dr. Joel Moody provided opening remarks, setting the scene for understanding how integrating ergonomics provides a return on investment by to supporting injury prevention and optimizing business performance, including metrics like productivity, quality of products and services, employee satisfaction and health and safety. View the presentations and resources |
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CROSH: Knowledge Transfer Kits now in FrenchThanks to a Bilingual Innovation Grant from Laurentian University, Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) Knowledge Transfer Kits are now available in French and English. Each kit is a comprehensive package that helps workplaces provide their workers education about the hazards of working on and around mobile equipment. Three versions are available for purchase: Vibration, Fatigue, and Line of Sight. Learn more |
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EPID@Work: Northwestern Ontario cohort study, Forum North ConferenceNew at EPID@Work Research Institute:
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IHSA: New podcasts, upcoming conference, successful AGMNew at the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA):
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OCRC: New report on advancing workplace exposure surveillance in CanadaThe Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) has released a new report, Advancing Workplace Exposure Surveillance in Canada. This report is based on a workshop held in March 2023 that was attended by approximately 60 stakeholders and collaborators from across Canada. The report highlights challenges, resource needs and next steps to improve occupational exposure surveillance in Canada, as identified by workshop participants. Read the report |
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OHCOW: Occ|tober webinar seriesOccupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) is kicking off it’s Occ-tober webinar series on October 27. The series will run Fridays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. from October 27 to November 24. Attend a webinar |
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PSHSA: COS 5-Star Safety and Training Award and the 2022-23 Annual ReportNew at Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA):
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WSN: New interim CEO, annual report, call for advisory committee members, mining resources, Ontario Mine Rescue on TVNew at Workplace Safety North (WSN):
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WSPS: Lockout tagout course, food manufacturing risks, material handling hazards, farm safety, ChatGPT at work, respirator fit testing, workplace stress, PIPNew at Workplace Safety & Prevention Service (WSPS):
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Court bulletinsView bulletins on recent court decisions that resulted in fines and other penalties under Ontario’s workplace laws. Read more |
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