What laws do I need to know?

As an organization in Ontario, Canada there are a variety of laws which a company must follow. If you disregard these laws, you are open to several types of censure.

Resources

• Canada Business Network – Employees
• WSIB Ontario – Most businesses in Ontario must register with the WSIB within 10 days of hiring their first worker.

Special Conditions for Construction

Various industry sectors have special rules for them, including retail and construction.

Resources

• Canada Revenue Agency – GST/HST and the construction industry
• Canada Revenue Agency – Small businesses and self-employed
• WSIB Ontario – Benefits of WSIB Coverage
• WSIB Ontario – FAQ – Mandatory Coverage in Construction

How to handle an audit or complaint

Various agencies have the ability to audit your organization for compliance to the law or will investigate your company in response to a formal complaint made to them (i.e. Human Right Commission).

Resources

• Ontario Human Rights Commission – This guide is designed to help educators discuss with students the rights and responsibilities the Code covers. It explains human rights protections and identifies who is responsible for protecting everyone’s rights.
• Human Rights legal Support Centre – How-to guides
• Ontario Human Rights Commission – Brochures, factsheets and guides

Diversity

Diversity includes human elements which have an effect on employee’s values, perception of self and others and behaviour (i.e. ethnicity, gender, race).

Resources

• Edu.gov.on.ca – ONTARIO’S EQUITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION STRATEGY
• DiversityDufferin.com – Diversity Statistics for Ontario and Canada
• CanadasTop100.com – Canada’s Best Diversity Employers
• Ontario Human Rights Commission – Guide to your rights and responsibilities under the Human Rights Code
• Ontario Human Rights Commission – Teachers’ package

Leaves of Absences

In Ontario, there are many leaves of absences which are job-protected by legislation.

Resources

• Labour.gov.on.ca – Leaves of absence
• Labour.gov.on.ca – New Leaves of Absence
• HRCouncil.ca – HR Policies & Employment Legislation
• CanadaEmploymentHumanRightsLaw.com – Employer Obligations During a Leave
• Mondaq.com – Video – Canada: Accommodating Family Status

Copies of All Ontario Laws

e-Laws provides access to official copies of Ontario’s statutes and regulations. An official copy of a statute or regulation is an accurate statement of the law unless otherwise proved.

Resources

• Service Ontario – e-Laws provides access to official copies of Ontario’s statutes and regulations.

Charter of Rights & Freedoms

Resources

• Government of Canada – Justice Laws Website
• Jurist.org – CANADA JURIST legal news archive
• Labour.gov.on.ca – Employment Standards
• AvoidAClaim.com – 20 Red Flags of Bad Cheque Fraud You Should Recognize
• EmployerAdviser.ca – Worker’s Compensation

Human Rights

Resources

• Ontario Human Rights Commission – Human rights in Ontario
• Ontario Human Rights Commission – The Ontario Human Rights Code
• Reocities.com – Ontario Network for Human Rights
• SHRM.org – Diversity
• Government of Canada – Justice Laws Website, Table of Contents
• Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities – Ontario’s Training, Colleges and Universities Mandate
• Ontario Ministry of Finance – Ministry of Finance home page
• Ontario Ministry of Labour – Jobs Protection Office
• Ontario Ministry of Labour – Employment Standards Tools

Legal Blogs

Resources

• STLawyers.ca – Law Blog
• Employment Lawyers in Toronto – Whitten & Lublin – Law Blog
• Sherrard Kuzz LLP – Employment and Labour Lawyers