Business leaders welcome Ontario workplace reforms

The Business Council of Canada welcomes the Government of Ontario’s commitment to improve the province’s workplace legislation and apprenticeship system.

The plan tabled yesterday recognizes the need to promote job creation and business growth at a time when Canada faces increased international competition for investment.

Ontario business leaders are strongly committed to a positive work environment that supports the well-being of their employees and their families.

In a submission to provincial legislators last year, the Council noted that the previous law had been poorly designed and hastily implemented, imposing a significant burden on companies and offering them little time to adjust to higher costs and new regulations.

On behalf of Ontario employers, we also welcome the government’s desire to modernize the province’s apprenticeship system, making it easier for workers to get the skills and experience they need to build successful careers. It will be important to ensure a smooth transition to a new system and for industry to have a strong voice in the process.

Founded in 1976, the Business Council of Canada is the voice of Canada’s business leaders. The Council is composed of the chief executives and entrepreneurs of 150 leading private-sector enterprises, representing every major industry and all regions of the country. Member companies employ 1.7 million citizens, contribute the largest share of federal corporate taxes, and are responsible for most of Canada’s exports, corporate philanthropy, and private-sector investments in research and development.

Through supply chain partnerships, service contracts and mentoring programs, Business Council members support many hundreds of thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs in communities of all sizes across Canada.