Spring 2015 Business Regulatory Update

· by Huzaifa Saeed

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) quarterly Regulatory Update summarizes what employers need to know about the latest changes to the regulatory environment for businesses*.

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, as part of OCC’s network is actively engaged on the topics below and would welcome your feedback or concerns to educate our advocacy efforts. Please feel free to contact Huzaifa Saeed | Policy & Research Analyst at h.saeed@hamiltonchamber.ca

Direct Employer Access to ‘Express Entry’ Applicants Now Available In effect

Employers now have direct access to Express Entry (EE) applicants through Job Match, a revamped version of Job Bank, the federal government’s job database. Job Match facilitates direct connections between employers and candidates.

This follows the launch of EE earlier this year. EE is the federal government’s new electronic application management system for recruiting highly skilled immigrants. The system puts employers front and centre in the immigrant selection process.

To access Job Match, visit: http://bit.ly/1EpsQxM

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New Employment Standards Poster Requirement in Effect This Month

In effect May 20, 2015

Starting May 20, 2015, employers in Ontario must provide all current employees with a copy of version 6.0 of the Ministry of Labour’s Employment Standards Poster within 30 days. Any new employees hired after May 20, 2015 must be given a copy within 30 days of their date of hire. Ministry-prepared translations of the poster are available.

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Ministry of Labour Consulting to Address the Changing Nature of the Workplace

June and July 2015

The government has launched public consultations on the changing nature of the modern workplace. The consultations will focus on how the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and Employment Standards Act, 2000 could be amended to keep pace with the changing needs of workers and employers.
The consultations will address a number of topics, including the increase in non-standard working relationships (e.g. part-time work and self-employment) and accelerating technological change.

Consultations will be taking place in June and July in the following communities:

  • Toronto – June 16
  • Ottawa – June 18
  • Mississauga – June 24
  • Guelph – June 25
  • Windsor – July 7
  • London – July 8
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Minimum Wage Set to Increase Later This Year

In effect October 1, 2015

Ontario is raising the general minimum wage from $11 to $11.25 per hour, effective October 1, 2015. Minimum wage rates for jobs in special categories (liquor servers, homeworkers, students, etc.) are also increasing at the same time.

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Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Consulting on Rate Reform

Submissions due June 30, 2015

The WSIB is reviewing how its rates are set. They have developed a proposed preliminary Rate Framework which aims to address fundamental issues with the current employer classification structure and premium rate setting processes. They are currently consulting with employers on the framework.

Written submissions to the WSIB are due by June 30, 2015.

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Ontario Retirement Pension Plan Bill Passed by Legislature: Ongoing

On April 29, the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan Act, 2015 was approved by the Ontario Legislature. This Act forms the foundation of the government’s new Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) and requires that the pension plan be implemented by January 1, 2017. Important details of the plan, such as which workplace pension plans will be exempt from the ORPP, have yet to be worked out.

The ORPP will be a standalone, mandatory pension plan requiring employers and employees to contribute 1.9 percent of an employee’s yearly earnings (up to a maximum of $90,000) per year. In its 2015 Budget, the government committed to establishing a body (the ORPP Administration Corporation) that will be responsible for administering the plan and investing contributions.

Before approval by the Legislature, the Act was amended to require the Minister of Finance to prepare a cost-benefit analysis of the new pension plan by the end of the calendar year.

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Disclaimer: * Please note that this email includes hyperlinks to third party websites. Although the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and its member Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade make reasonable efforts to obtain reliable content from third parties, the OCC and its member Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade do not guarantee the accuracy of any third party content. The OCC and its member Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade do not necessarily endorse the legislative or regulatory changes listed in this email.