Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026
Sponsored by Khanjin, Hon. Andrea · Second Reading Ordered for Third Reading
- A multi-part bill changing rules on workplace protections, environmental assessments, health workforce access, talent agencies, and workers' compensation benefits.
- It also adjusts labour relations timelines, oversight of retirement homes, and qualification requirements for the Ombudsman.
- Bans employers from charging employees for uniforms or other prescribed items, with limited exceptions.
- Improperly charged amounts become enforceable as wages owing to the employee.
- Director gains power to assign or refuse to assign certain complaints for investigation or inspection.
- Money collected in enforcement must pay employees first, then be split among collector, Director and Minister.
- Allows prescribing of approved class environmental assessments under re-enacted section 15.
- For multi-proponent Part II.3 projects, one proponent's application is now sufficient.