Ontario Helping People Understand Workplace Rights and Responsibilities

Ontario is supporting employers and employees by raising awareness of workplace rights and
responsibilities through the new Employment Standards Training and Education Program.
The program will provide grants to non-profit organizations that will help develop projects that
educate vulnerable workers or small- and mid-sized businesses on their rights and duties
under the Employment Standards Act.
Eligible non-profit organizations can apply for the grant online. The application deadline is 4
p.m. on October 30, 2017, and successful applicants will be announced in 2018.
This new grant program responds to recommendations in the final report of the Changing
Workplaces Review for continued collaboration with other organizations on education and
outreach. Ontario is also making changes to create more opportunity and security for workers
through its plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs. Proposed legislative measures includes
increasing the minimum wage, ensuring part-time workers are paid the same hourly wage as
full-time workers, introducing paid personal emergency leave days for every worker and
stepping up enforcement of employment laws.

Protecting workers and supporting business is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our
economy and help people in their everyday lives.
QUOTES
“People in our province expect to be treated fairly at work. And that’s why everyone should
know their rights and responsibilities at the workplace. By working with and leveraging the
expertise of groups working directly on the frontlines with businesses and vulnerable workers,
we can better ensure that workplaces get the vital information they need.”
— Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour
QUICK FACTS
 Ontario is investing $500,000 to the Employment Standards Training and Education
Program.
 Ontario also conducts regular workplace inspections in high-risk sectors to increase
awareness of and compliance with the Employment Standards Act. The province is
currently hiring up to 175 more employment standards officers to bolster its enforcement
efforts.
 There are 6.92 million workers in Ontario. Small businesses represent 95 per cent of all
employers in the province and they employ 28 per cent of Ontario’s workers.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Learn more about your employment rights
What businesses need to know about employment standards