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Ontario Launches Skilled Trades Career Fairs for StudentsThe Ontario government is working for workers by launching career fairs this fall to prepare the next generation of young people for rewarding and well-paying jobs in the skilled trades. These fairs address labour shortages in high-demand sectors and help deliver the province’s ambitious infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031. Learn more |
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Ontario Investing in Construction Sector to Combat Labour ShortageThe Ontario government is working for workers by investing $3.7 million to help up to 2,500 workers start or advance in well-paying careers in the construction industry. This decade, Ontario will need 100,000 more construction workers to help deliver the province’s ambitious infrastructure plans, including 1.5 million homes by 2031. Learn more |
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Now Accepting Proposals for Pre-Apprenticeship Training ProgramThe Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program helps potential entrants to the apprenticeship system develop their job skills and trade readiness so that they will be prepared to find work as apprentices. Applications for the 2022–23 pre-apprenticeship Call for Proposals are open October 19 to November 21, 2022. Apply though the Employment Ontario Partners’ Gateway |
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Ontario’s Electronic Monitoring Law is in EffectAs of October 11, employers with 25 or more workers are now required to disclose if, how and why they are monitoring their employees electronically. With the passage of the Working for Workers Act 2 on April 7, 2022, Ontario became the first province to require electronic monitoring policies and protect workers’ privacy whether they are in the office, at home or at the job site. Learn more |
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Ontario Minimum Wage Increased on October 1Minimum wage is the lowest wage rate an employer can pay an employee. Minimum wage rates in Ontario increased on October 1, 2022. The increase to the general minimum wage was 50 cents, which brings the new rate to $15.50 per hour. Learn more |
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Recognizing Small Business WeekOntario’s Chief Prevention Officer, Dr. Joel Moody, speaks to business owners and operators about our focus on small business week:
Learn about important employment standards that employers and employees should be aware of. Read more. |
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Preventing Occupational DiseaseOctober is Healthy Workplace Month in Canada. The ministry, along with our health and safety partners, will be focusing on preventing occupational diseases in different sectors from October to December. The Healthy Workers in a Healthy Workplace – occupational disease initiative will roll out in two phases:
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Post-Inspection Survey to Improve Health and Safety Programs and ServicesThe ministry’s Occupational Health and Safety Branch is measuring the impact of our work to ensure our programs and services are as effective and efficient as possible. To best identify what’s working and how to improve, we need to hear directly from workers and employers that have had interactions with our occupational health and safety inspectors. As part of their field visits, our health and safety inspectors may ask for an email address from the main employer and worker contact(s). This will be used to send one or two surveys about how our work has influenced employers’ and workers’:
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Small Business Health and Safety Representative Training Program Available in FrenchOntario’s Small Business Health and Safety Representative Training Program is now available in French through the:
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All Ontarians Aged 12+ Eligible for Bivalent BoosterWith Health Canada approval of the Pfizer bivalent vaccine, everyone aged 12 and over is eligible to get a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose starting Monday, October 17 if they have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series. The Ontario government is reminding people to stay up-to-date with their vaccines as we enter respiratory illness season. Learn more |
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Ontario’s Pay Equity Office launches the Pay Equity Solution for Small Business DIY ToolkitThe importance of closing gender pay gaps is widely recognized by governments, workers’ organizations and employers as good practice in supporting stronger economic and social outcomes. Pay equity is more than a legal or regulatory obligation: when you pay women well and equitably, research shows that business competitiveness, communities and economies improve. To help employers get started, Ontario’s Pay Equity Office released a free Pay Equity Solution for Small Business Do-It-Yourself Toolkit, designed for companies with 10+ employees. This bilingual, interactive toolkit guides employers through the steps of pay equity. Employers can move through the tool at their own pace, using the explainer videos and infographics to better understand Ontario’s Pay Equity Act. The toolkit is currently in beta testing and the office is seeking feedback from Ontario employers to support continuous improvement. Share, download and send feedback to AskPayEquity@ontario.ca. Download the toolkit |
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CROSH: Whole-Body Vibration Courses, Knowledge Transfer Kits, OHS Guidebooks, 2021–2022 Annual ReportAre you looking to develop a foundational understanding of whole-body vibration in the workplace? The Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) offers two educational courses on whole-body vibration for safety professionals. For ready-made knowledge transfer materials, you can check out our Knowledge Transfer Kits and OHS Guidebooks. And finally, you can learn what we've been up to in the past year with our 2021–2022 Annual Report. Learn more |
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IHSA's Latest Podcast: Focus on OpioidsOpioid overdoses and deaths are a public health crisis affecting many working Canadians. IHSA's Safety Podcast has released its second episode focusing on the opioid crisis in Canada and its effect on the trades. Listen to the podcast |
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Attention Small Business Owners: IHSA Health and Safety 101 On-Demand WebinarIHSA has released a free, on-demand webinar developed and presented in partnership with the ministry and the WSIB. Health and Safety 101 – an Orientation for Small Business Owners reviews how each party assists and supports small businesses in their health and safety journey. |
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IHSA Webinar: Asbestos Hazards Compliance InitiativeIn support of the ministry’s occupational disease compliance initiative, this on-demand webinar from IHSA reviews the initiative focus, rationale, location, key focus for inspectors, and how IHSA can help construction companies working with asbestos. Watch the webinar |
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OHCOW: New Podcast and WebinarOH-Pod: OHCOW's Ergonomic Health Podcast: Back to School: Ergonomics for Educators & Students Upcoming webinar series: Worker-Focused Science & Prevention: This 8th annual symposia on occupational health and illness/disease prevention translates knowledge and shares tools relating to the latest science and prevention initiatives. Starts October 27 and continues each Thursday throughout November. Learn more |
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WSPS: New Workplace Masking WebinarWatch the free, 20-minute webinar to help employers make decisions on the use of masks in their workplaces. Based on the ministry’s recently posted updates to workplace masking guidance that include more information on fit and filtration, the webinar has practical information to help businesses respond quickly, appropriately and with minimal disruption to waves or outbreaks of COVID-19. View the new webinar | Read the guidance |
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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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