News & Media

Consultations Announced for Update to Ontario’s Fair Wages Policy

February 21, 2017
Magnifying glass on Canadian money

Beginning in March, Ontario will be seeking public input on updates to its Fair Wage Policy to ensure government contract workers continue to receive fair wages and benefits. Dates and locations are to be announced soon.

Feedback will help inform a refreshed policy, which will better reflect Ontario’s evolving workforce. The province’s Fair Wage Policy sets standards on wages and working conditions for contractors, such as building cleaning, security services, building trades, and construction workers, to protect them from unfair competition when bidding on government contracts.

The review of the Fair Wage Policy is consistent with work being done by the Changing Workplace Review, especially in the building services sector, where workplace issues around precarious employment are prominent.
Ensuring workers receive fiar wages is part of our plan to create new jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quotes

“Our economic plan includes making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, which creates jobs for workers in many sectors across the province. An updated Fair Wage Policy will ensure that workers on those government contracts are being treated fairly, and all contractors are on a level playing field.”
– Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour

Quick Facts

  • Ontario’s Fair Wage Policy was first developed during the Great Depression of the 1930s, and has not been updated since 1995.
  • Research has shown that fair wage policies result in increased productivity and work innovation, increased apprenticeship training, a decrease in underground economic activity and a decrease in the rates of workplace injuries.
  • The Changing Workplaces Review is examining how the Labour Relations Act and Employment Standards Act could be amended to better protect workers while supporting businesses in our changing economy.

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