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Ontario increasing minimum wage to $16.55 an hourThe Ontario government is increasing the minimum wage to $16.55 an hour on October 1, 2023. This 6.8 per cent pay raise for low-income workers builds on the government’s steady and predictable increases every year to help families offset the rising cost of living. Learn more |
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Ontario introducing new rules to keep miners safeThe Ontario government is working for the province’s 29,000 mine workers by introducing new rules to improve ventilation requirements in underground mines and lower exposure to harmful diesel exhaust to the most protective levels in North America. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can be a significant cause of lung cancer in miners. Learn more |
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Ontario introducing highest fines in Canada for withholding worker passportsLast month, the Ontario government introduced the Working for Workers Act, 2023, which would, if passed, continue to lead the country in providing ground-breaking protections for workers. Announced as part of the legislation are changes that would strengthen protections for vulnerable and migrant workers by establishing the highest maximum fines in Canada for businesses and people who are convicted of withholding a foreign national’s passport or work permit. Offenders could face a $100,000 to $200,000 penalty for every worker whose rights are violated. The government also proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) that, if passed, would increase the maximum fine for corporations convicted of an offence under the OHSA from $1.5 million to $2 million. This would give Ontario the highest maximum corporate fine under workplace health and safety legislation in Canada. Learn more |
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Ontario ready to welcome more skilled newcomersThe Ontario government is investing an additional $25 million over three years in its flagship immigration program to support doubling the number of skilled immigrants the province can welcome to tackle the labour shortage and help build Ontario. Learn more |
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Province building Ontario by doubling economic immigrationThe Ontario government is doubling the number of economic immigrants it selects in 2025 to over 18,000 to help solve the province’s critical labour shortage. With nearly 300,000 jobs going unfilled daily, this will allow Ontario to select more of the workers needed to fill gaps in critical industries like the skilled trades, technology and health care. Learn more |
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Ontario creating job-protected leave for injured military reservistsThe Ontario government is working for workers by introducing new legislation that, if passed, would guarantee military reservists can return to their civilian jobs after deployment, even if they need additional time off to recover from physical or mental injuries. Of the Canadian 40,000 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, nearly one in seven developed a mental injury attributed to trauma from their mission. Learn more |
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April is Cancer Awareness MonthAbout 10,000 cancer cases in Canada are due to exposure to cancer-causing substances in the workplace each year, according to the Occupational Cancer Research Centre. With the right controls in place and by having a strong internal responsibility system, employers can prevent occupational illness by minimizing or eliminating exposure to workplace hazards. Resources are available to help: |
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April 28 is Day of MourningWe observe Day of Mourning by remembering and honouring those who have died, been injured or suffered illness because of their job. It falls annually on April 28. Canadian flags on Parliament Hill and at Queen's Park fly at half-mast and the day is often marked by holding public ceremonies, wearing black and yellow ribbons, lighting candles, observing a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. and sharing stories about how workplace tragedies have touched peoples' lives. Learn and participate: |
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Register now: 2023 Occupational Health and Safety Research DayThe ministry and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) are hosting a virtual Research Day event on May 4 and May 11. The event will feature selected ministry and WSIB-funded research. Register for free to learn about important health and safety research findings. Register: May 4 | May 11 |
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Upcoming health and safety inspections: 2023-24 schedule and construction plansA schedule of the ministry’s planned health and safety campaigns for 2023-24 is now available. Compliance campaigns focus on specific hazards or topics and run for a minimum of 12 months. They have two phases:
Learn more: workplace compliance initiatives | construction campaigns |
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Skilled Trades Ontario: Seeking experts to shape future of apprenticeshipSkilled Trades Ontario is inviting subject matter experts to participate in developing standards and examinations to ensure they continue to meet the needs of industry, apprentices, and trades professionals in the province. Learn more |
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WSIB: Report and pay through online bankingBusinesses can now report, pay and reconcile their Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums through their online banking, in one simple transaction. Learn more and get started |
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IWH: Future of work report, new accommodation tool, strategic plan webinarWhat will work look like in 2030 for young adults living with disability? An Institute for Work & Health (IWH) research team generated three future scenarios designed to provoke discussions about the policies needed now to ensure inclusive work in the future for persons with disabilities. Get the three scenarios. IWH recently launched the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) to help workers with chronic conditions identify job-tailored supports that can help them keep working safely and productively, without having to disclose their health condition. Learn more. IWH is unveiling its 2023-2027 strategic plan at an IWH Speaker Series webinar on May 23, 2023. Watch for details. |
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Minerva: Rising Star AwardThis award recognizes leaders of the future with a demonstrated commitment to the integration of health and safety. Eligible nominees include full time post-secondary students from Canadian universities or colleges in undergraduate, graduate, or coop programs as well as employees with two or less years of work experience since graduation. Nominations close on April 21, 2023, and the winner will be announced October 19, 2023, at Canada’s Safest Employers awards dinner in Toronto. Learn more |
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PSHSA: MSD webinar in support of ministry inspection campaignPublic Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA), Centre of Research Expertise for the prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) and the ministry recently hosted a webinar about preparing for the provincial MSD prevention campaign in the health and community care sector. Topics included MSD prevention in healthcare, what the ministry will concentrate on during inspections, where to access resources to support OHSA compliance and crucial tips on how employers can prepare for an inspector’s visit. Watch the webinar |
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WSN: Free livestream, prepare for mining inspections, award applicationsNew at Workplace Safety North (WSN):
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WSPS: Prepare for material handling inspections, robot safety, domestic violence, emergency response, and slips, trips and fallsNew 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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