Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Ontario Legislation Advances Worker Protection and Reduces Red Tape

CLAC welcomes expanded WSIB coverage, stronger safety standards, and enhanced worker benefits in Ontario’s new legislation, while raising concerns over reduced union choice timelines in the construction sector

CLAC is encouraged by key elements of newly introduced provincial legislation aimed at reducing red tape, improving workplace safety, and strengthening protections for workers across Ontario.

A major step forward is the expansion of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage to more frontline residential care workers—an important change that ensures workers facing real risks on the job have access to consistent protection.

“Extending WSIB coverage to retirement home and residential care workers is long overdue,” said Ian DeWaard, CLAC’s Provincial Director. “These workers deserve the same level of protection as others in comparable roles, and this change provides greater security for them and their families.”

CLAC also supports measures under Building Ontario’s Workforce: Health and Safety, which align safety training standards across jurisdictions, and strengthen on-site protections.

“Consistent health and safety standards across provinces will reduce barriers for skilled tradespeople and support a more productive construction sector. “Improvements like enhanced head protection and recognition of high-quality equipment standards will strengthen safety on the job.”

The organization also points to meaningful improvements for injured workers, including extending Loss of Earnings benefits beyond age 65 and increasing benefits to 90 percent of net average earnings. These changes reflect the realities workers face today by providing greater financial stability during recovery, when it matters it most.

While supportive of workplace safety and WSIB initiatives, CLAC criticizes one feature of the bill that would reduce the “open period” for construction workers to just 30 days. The right to change unions is an important aspect of workplace democracy and union accountability, and this reduction curtails those rights and limits workers’ ability to make informed, independent decisions about their union representation.

CLAC remains committed to working constructively with Ministers Andrea Khanjin and David Piccini, and with the Ontario government as a whole, to advance policies that protect workers, support economic growth, and maintain a fair and balanced labour environment.

Ontario Legislation Advances Worker Protection and Reduces Red Tape

You might be interested in