NEWS
Ministry of Labour
Ontario Proposing Changes to Legislation for Injured Workers,
Broader Public Sector and Firefighters
Province Strengthening Employee Rights
NEWS
May 28, 2015
Ontario has introduced legislation to amend three separate acts affecting workers — helping to
further ensure the rights of employees across the province are protected.
If passed, the Employment and Labour Statute Law Amendment Act, 2015 would make
amendments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the Fire Prevention and Protection Act
and the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act that would:
 Allow Workplace Safety & Insurance Board survivor benefits to be calculated based on
the average earnings, at the time of diagnosis, of the deceased worker’s occupation
rather than the current legislated minimum, which will potentially increase the amount of
support families receive
 Prohibit employers from trying to prevent workers reporting workplace injury or illness to
the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board by ensuring that they are protected from
retribution
 Increase maximum corporate penalties from $100,000 to $500,000 for conviction of an
offence under the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act, such as knowingly making a false
or misleading statement to the Board or willfully failing to inform the Board of a material
change in circumstance within 10 days
 Help reduce the potential for disruption and delay for workers in the broader public
sector when there are changes to bargaining units following events such as
amalgamations or restructurings
 Provide more dispute resolution tools for the professional fire services sector by allowing
labour relations disputes to be heard by the Ontario Labour Relations Board as opposed
to the Ontario Courts
Strengthening protections for workers while supporting businesses is part of the government's
plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills,
making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic,
innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
QUOTES
"Our government is committed to advancing safe, fair and respectful workplace practices. That’s
why I’ve proposed these changes, which will, if they become law, provide increased fairness to
workers across Ontario by strengthening protections in legislation.”
— Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour
QUICK FACTS
 The Workplace Safety & Insurance Board pays out approximately $2.5 billion in benefits
a year.
LEARN MORE
 Review the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act, 1997
 Read the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, 1997
 Learn more about the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997
Craig MacBride, Minister's Office, 416-326-7709
William Lin, Communications Branch, 416-326-7405
ontario.ca/labour-news
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