'This ends now': Ontario proposes new temporary agency laws that would require license
The Ontario government is set to push new legislation that would require temporary help agencies and recruiters to obtain licenses in order to operate.
Labour Minister Monte McNaughton made an announcement on Monday, outlining the legislation he plans to propose.
If passed, any temporary help agency or recruiter without a license could be penalized and face the “highest fines in the country,” McNaughton said. This new legislation would impact the 2,257 temporary help agencies operating in Ontario.
Under the proposed legislation, temporary help agencies and recruiters would be vetted before being issued a license to operate. Applicants would need a letter of credit that could be used to repay owed wages to workers.
“The underground activity…..makes millions of dollars off the backs of workers, by not paying minimum wage, not paying holiday pay, and not paying overtime pay,” McNaughton said. He said temporary help agencies illegally pay people below minimum wage, denying basic employment rights.
Over the past year, the Ministry of Labour has been investigating farms, retirement homes, food processing and warehousing facilities, finding more than $3.3 million owed to employees. He said about half of that has been recovered.
“They also found recruiters charging workers illegal hiring fees, and then clawing back their pay. This ends now. It's time we return these stolen paycheques to the workers who earn them,” McNaughton said.
The minister said employers who used “deceitful recruiters” could be required to repay workers for illegal fees charged.
“We are taking these steps to help vulnerable workers, mostly young people, women, migrant workers and newcomers, for being exploited by unethical agencies,” he said.
The province is planning to hire a team of officers that will focus on cracking down on the sector, particularly those exploiting and trafficking domestic and foreign workers.
If passed, the government is aiming to require licenses as early as 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed Thursday in Nepean dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.