Ontario’s Game-Changing Workforce Reforms: A Win for Families, Tradeswomen, and Workers Battling Illness

Ontario is taking bold steps to reshape the workplace, making it more inclusive, supportive, and family-friendly. New legislation is on the horizon, and if passed, it could transform job security, create new opportunities for women in trades, and protect workers facing serious illnesses.

Here’s what’s coming—and why it matters.

New Parental Leave for Adoption and Surrogacy

Families built through adoption or surrogacy are often overlooked in workplace policies—but that’s about to change. Ontario is proposing a?16-week job-protected leave?for adoptive parents and parents through surrogacy under the Employment Standards Act (ESA).

This initiative ensures these families have the same opportunities to bond with their children as biological parents. Nearly 700 families in Ontario welcome a child through surrogacy and adoption each year, making this change a crucial step toward creating a more compassionate workplace culture that supports all paths to parenthood.

Long-Term Illness Leave: Protecting Health and Jobs

A serious illness can disrupt every part of life—physically, emotionally, and financially. Ontario’s proposed?27-week long-term illness leave?is a lifeline for workers battling life-altering conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, or Crohn’s disease. If passed, this would be one of the longest provincially mandated medical leaves in Canada. It would allow workers to focus on recovery without the looming fear of losing their jobs during one of the most challenging times of their lives.

Revolutionizing the Skilled Trades: Breaking Barriers for Women

Women in trades have faced long-standing challenges, from safety issues to inadequate facilities. Ontario’s new proposals aim to turn the tide:

Better PPE for Women:?The government plans to mandate properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) for women across all industries. Research shows that ill-fitting PPE is a significant barrier, and increasing accessibility to women-specific options is essential.

Improved Workplace Facilities:?Dirty or inaccessible washrooms have been a common concern. Ontario will increase accountability for clean, well-maintained washrooms across workplaces. This builds on measures from the?Working for Workers Act, 2023, which mandated menstrual products on construction sites (Ontario, 2024b). These changes aren’t just about fairness—they’re about attracting and retaining talent. Women currently represent 29% of Ontario’s skilled trades workforce, and these measures aim to create a safer and more supportive environment to grow this number further.

Leading the Way in Worker Protection:

Ontario’s proposed changes reflect a clear vision: a province where workers can thrive, no matter their life circumstances. Whether it’s supporting parents, safeguarding the health of employees with serious illnesses, or ensuring that women in trades feel respected and safe, these reforms are a step forward for everyone.

The proposed legislative changes will set a new standard for workplaces across Canada. They reflect a growing recognition that a thriving workforce is diverse, healthy, and supported.

References

Ontario. (2024a).?Ontario requires cleaner washrooms on construction sites.?Link

Ontario. (2024b).?Working for Workers Act, 2023.?Link

Ontario. (2024). Ontario supporting women and families in the trades. Link