On October 23, Ontario’s government tabled Bill 47, the Making Ontario Open for Business Act. The legislation, which will repeal portions of Bill 148 (the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act), is a major setback for workers’ rights in Ontario. Bill 148, passed in November 2017, was the result of years of campaigning and advocacy for …
Minimum Wage
Gender Equality Week: What’s the state of women’s economic equality in the workplace?
September 23rd marked the beginning of the very first Gender Equality Week in Canada, aimed at celebrating the progress Canada has made in advancing gender equality while also reflecting on the work that remains to be done. Bill C-309, which became law earlier this year, designates the fourth week of September each year as Gender …
Ontario jobs numbers contradict fears about raising the minimum wage
This Labour Day weekend marks eight months since Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, came into effect. Bill 148 increased the minimum wage from $11.60 to $14.00 an hour, gave all workers access to ten job-protected personal emergency leave days (the first two of which are paid), legislated equal pay for equal work …
URGENT ACTION ALERT: Federal review of labour standards
The federal government is doing a review of the labour standards that affect workers in federally-regulated sectors, like banking, telecommunications and inter-provincial and international transportation. We’ve just learned that they’re conducting a consultation with Canadians about how federal labour standards should be updated. The consultation ends this Wednesday, January 31. The Government wants to know …
Ontario Budget 2018: Take Action on Income Security / Passons à l’action pour la sécurité du revenu
– la version française suit dessous – It’s pre-Budget time in Ontario. As we noted recently, now’s the time to tell the Government and the Opposition parties that they must take bold steps on income security in Ontario. These steps must include major investments in transforming social assistance, starting with raising the rates, and employment standards enforcement. …
National Day of Action in support of Tim Hortons workers: Friday, Jan 19
This Friday – TOMORROW – the Fight for $15 & Fairness, together with the Ontario Federation of Labour and Leadnow, are hosting more than 50 actions outside Tim Hortons restaurants across the country. ISAC proudly supports this day of action and hopes you can join us on Friday, January 19. Anger continues to grow in response to the …
Ontario Budget 2018: Time to Push for Roadmap and More
The deadline to provide feedback to the Ministry of Community and Social Services on the Roadmap for Change report passed on January 5. But that’s not the end of the opportunity to have your say. It’s pre-Budget time, and the Government and Opposition parties are looking for input from the public on what the priorities …
Action alert: Stand up for workers across Ontario, Wednesday, January 10
Tomorrow, show your support for workers facing bully bosses! The minimum wage has gone up to $14 an hour starting January 1st! But some businesses have responded by cutting paid breaks and shifts, firing workers, and even engaging in wage theft. You’ve probably seen the news that several Tim Hortons stores across Ontario have been …
NEWS ALERT: $15 & Fairness victory for Ontario workers
Dear Friends of ISAC, Our allies at the Fight for $15 & Fairness have announced a victory today for Ontario workers – see the email below. Legislation that will improve the wages and working conditions of workers in Ontario was passed today in the Ontario legislature. As the email says, there are still hurdles to …
Email Premier Wynne: Strengthen & Pass Bill 148!
Over the past year, the $15 & Fairness movement successfully pressured the government to introduce legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 by January 1, 2019. This important move will boost the incomes of 1.7 million people – one quarter of Ontario’s workforce – and their families. The legislation, Bill 148: The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, also includes …