Parties are throwing out promise after promise – but which ones will impact employers?
Less than a month before Ontario's June 2 election, political parties across the province are unveiling various promises to garner support from the public. Their promises range from health, safety, as well as employment, according to reports from Global News and The Canadian Press. Here's what they pledging to workers if they get elected.
Progressive Conservative Party
Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, which is seeking re-election, has said that it is looking into increasing compensation for workers who get injured in the workplace.
The PC also said it plans to transfer the head office of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to London, Ontario, stressing that it will move thousands of jobs and create local jobs as well.
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Andrea Horwath has vowed to pay early childhood educators a minimum rate of $25 per hour, with $20 per hour other child-care programme staff. A minimum wage increase workers is also pledged by the NDP, with an annual $1 increase to make it $20 by 2026, while also vowing to legislate 10 permanent personal emergency leave days.
Support for Black entrepreneurs is also assured, with the NDP to launch a $20-million Black Business Recovery Fund if elected. The party is further pledging the hiring of more employees, including personal support workers, nurses, doctors, specialists, teachers, and other education workers.
Read more: Politics and respect at work in election season
Liberal Party
The Steven Del Duca-led Liberal Party also issued several promises for workers, particularly a higher $16 per hour of minimum wage by January 2023. It is also planning on providing 10 paid sick days, as well as a benefits package for workers. The party also said it will classify gig workers as employees, who will also benefit from its promises on employment benefits.
In addition, Liberals also said they will reintroduce the Pay Transparency Act, which requires job postings to include salary rate or range and prevent employers from asking about past compensation. It will also bar reprisal against employees who discuss compensation and require large companies to publish pay gaps by gender.
Personal support workers will also see a higher base pay of $25 per hour under the Liberals, who also promised health-care workers higher wages and guaranteed access to mental health services.
