Ontario Supporting Women and Families in the Trades
Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
ETOBICOKE — The Ontario government will soon introduce legislation that, if passed, will support families and help more women enter and remain in the skilled trades by creating a new job-protected parental leave for adoptive parents and parents through surrogacy. The government would also create a new 27-week job-protected leave for workers with serious illnesses and support women in the trades by requiring all sectors to have properly fitting personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) for women.
“Our government has a clear mission: ensure Ontario continues to be the very best place to live, work, and raise a family,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That means making sure Ontarians never have to choose between being a worker or a parent, and that if a worker gets sick with a critical illness they can take the time to recover without worrying about their job. We’re also promoting and protecting tradeswomen as an essential part of our workforce in every sector: we see you, we value you, and we can’t build Ontario’s future without you.”
The province’s upcoming legislation will propose a new 16-week job-protected leave under the Employment Standards Act for adoptive parents and parents through surrogacy, to ensure they have adequate time to meet the demands of the adoption or surrogacy process, attach and welcome their child into their new home. This would also align with upcoming federal changes to create employment insurance (EI) benefits for adoption.
The government also intends to propose a new 27-week long-term illness leave for employees unable to work due to a serious medical condition as defined by a medical practitioner, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s. If passed, this would be one of the longest provincial leaves in Canada and would ensure workers with a serious medical condition have the time away from work they need to get treatment and recover, without risking their jobs.
To bring more women into the trades and grow Ontario’s trades workforce, the government will also propose expanding the explicit requirement for properly fitting PPE for women in the construction sector that was included in the Working for Workers Act, 2023 to include all sectors.
The government is also ensuring workers have access to clean washrooms by proposing specific requirements on employers that will increase accountability and transparency with washroom cleaning records. This would build on the new duties for employers and constructors related to clean washrooms that were passed under the Working for Workers Five Act.
These changes are part of a larger proposed package that will expand on the ground-breaking actions introduced in five previous Working for Workers packages since 2021, which will be unveiled in the coming weeks, to grow Ontario’s workforce, keep costs down for workers and businesses, and support the wellbeing of workers and their families. These proposed changes are another way the government is building a brighter future for all Ontarians and ensuring our province remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Quick Facts
• In 2023, 374,600 women were employed in a skilled trades-related occupation in Ontario, representing 29 per cent of the 1.3 million Ontarians who were employed in a skilled-trades related occupation.
• According to recent research published by the Canadian Standards Association, 50 per cent of women surveyed noted their PPE does not fit properly, 43 per cent said it is uncomfortable to wear and 35 per cent said the selection of women-specific PPE is inadequate.
• Half of respondents to the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen 2022 survey cited better washroom facilities as something needed to make construction more appealing to women.
• Ontario has introduced five Working for Workers Acts since 2021, with groundbreaking measures which are already helping millions of people. The province will continue to expand its initiatives to support workers.
• The Ontario government is investing $150 million over two years to expand the Ontario Fertility Program to cut waitlists and triple the number of families connecting to government-funded fertility services in hospital and community clinic settings. •
Quotes
"For years, women like me have had to adapt to tools, equipment, and policies that weren’t designed with us in mind. Ontario’s initiative to ensure properly fitting PPE and better workplace conditions sends a strong message: we see you, we value you, and we’re building a future where women in the trades can excel safely and confidently. When we make the trades more inclusive—through properly fitting PPE, clean facilities, and parental leave—we’re not just supporting women, we’re transforming the entire industry. These changes show that Ontario values both the worker and the parent in every person, creating a stronger, safer, and more welcoming workforce for everyone."
- Natasha "Nash" Ferguson
Founder & Principal, Ethelfox Construct Group l City Modular Inc. | A Women’s Work Support Centre
"Ontario's new leave for adoptive and intended parents demonstrates this government's commitment to all Ontario families, no matter how they are built. We are so pleased to see that the nearly 700 families in Ontario who welcome a child through surrogacy and adoption each year will now have the same time off work to bond with their new child as any other parents."
- Zane Colt
Board Chair, Conceivable Dreams, father by surrogacy
"As a parent by surrogacy, supportive policies like these show me that the government cares about my experience. The impact of this new leave is twofold: not only does it support families in accessing crucial time off to bond with their new child, it also signals to families like mine who have struggled with infertility that we are no different than anyone else."
- Baden Colt
CEO of Not My Tummy, mother by surrogacy
"Nearly 40 per cent of people diagnosed with cancer are in their working years, ages 20 to 64. That means cancer often comes at a time when expenses are high, and others are depending on you. There are already enough worries that come with a cancer diagnosis; wondering if you have a job to come back to shouldn't be one of them. The Government of Ontario is demonstrating strong leadership for expanding job protection for those with serious illnesses to 27 weeks. We know that cancer doesn’t wait – but your job should."
- Andrea Seale
CEO, Canadian Cancer Society
"Women are more than capable to lead successful careers in the skilled trades. The increased need for skilled tradespeople in Ontario calls for an intentional recruitment of more women to the sector. At Humber Polytechnic, we are committed to breaking down barriers that women may face as they build a future in the skilled trades. Today’s announcement by the Ontario government is an important step toward that goal and will help set women up for success in a career that is vital to our province’s economy."
- Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan
President and CEO, Humber Polytechnic
"The importance of properly fitting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can be easily overlooked when you can go to virtually any retailer and easily find PPE that fits your body and keeps you safe. The proposed measures and the requirement of properly fitting PPE for women is poised to create a transformative ripple throughout the construction industry and marketplace. By prioritizing safety inclusively, we not only encourage more women to join the sector but also clearly communicate they are not merely present in construction—they are essential and embraced."
- Jennifer Khan
Vice President, Inclusive Diversity, EllisDon
"The Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment is pleased to see the new measures for women’s maternity leave, PPE, expanded job-protected leave for injury or illnesses and the commitment to expanding mental health research and access in Ontario. These measures are a step in the right direction to protect the job security of women and all workers. We look forward to further expansion of these measures into paid job-protected leave for all employees in Ontario. Women and all workers require the financial security that comes from paid leave in case of injury, illness or mental health. We look forward to continuing to work with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development to protect and empower workers."
- Niha Shahzad
Senior Director, Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment
"To be empowered to succeed, women need to know they are welcomed and supported at the workplace. These changes are another example of how we are helping empower women to build their careers and achieve financial success to support themselves and their families. By protecting parental leave and long-term illness leave for more workers who need it, we can help keep more women from having to choose between their careers and their families or health."
- Charmaine Williams
Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity
"Our government is building a stronger, fairer Ontario. Under the continued leadership of Premier Ford and Minister Piccini, we are proposing measures to support adoptive parents and those through surrogacy by providing more time to meet unique demands. By mandating properly fitting protective equipment for women in all sectors and introducing a 27-week job-protected leave for workers with serious illnesses, we are advancing inclusivity, safety, and worker protections."
- Andrea Khanjin
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
"Thanks to Premier Ford’s leadership, our government is strengthening the skilled trades industry by promoting workforce stability, family values, and lifelong job security for workers, making skilled trades some of the most sought-after careers in Ontario. However, women currently represent just 10% of the skilled trades workforce, and we know that more can be done to ensure women feel valued, protected, and optimistic about pursuing a career in the skilled trades. This legislation would encourage more women to enter the skilled trades workforce to build a successful career and a stronger province for generations to come."
- Kinga Surma
Ontario Minister of Infrastructure
"Through the leadership of Premier Ford and the hard work of Minister Piccini, our government is making sure that women know that they have the ability to be heroes at home and at work. The people of Ontario deserve to know their government is working hard to build our province and economy while still instilling strong family values."
- Natalia Kusendova-Bashta
Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care
"Under Premier Ford, our government is building a stronger Ontario for everyone, getting shovels in the ground on housing that families can call home, on the highways and roads that connect our communities, and the clean energy powering our economy. That means we need all hands on deck – but when women represent less than a third of Ontario’s skilled trades workforce, and less than 10 percent of construction workers it’s tying one hand behind our backs. That’s why our government is introducing first-in-Canada changes to encourage women to start a career in the skilled trades and reach their full potential. Because an economy that doesn’t work for women, doesn’t work at all."
- Patrice Barnes
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
"These proposed measures are critical in recognizing the contributions of skilled trades professionals and addressing the challenges they face, particularly for women. We fully support Ontario’s efforts to create safer, more inclusive workplaces where no parent has to choose between their career and their family."
- Candice White
CEO and Registrar, Skilled Trades Ontario
"The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario appreciate the progressive steps forward announced today to improve the lives of working people. From clean washrooms and proper fitting PPE, to parental leave and a notable investment in mental health over the next five years, we look forward to working with the government to implement these changes in a way that makes a real impact on workers."
- Marc Arsenault
Business Manager of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario
"Women's PPE, like the right tools for any job, is designed to protect, support, and stand strong—just like the women who wear it. The right workwear ensures safety, comfort, and confidence, empowering women to tackle any job!"
- Dianne Finnigan
Founder and Owner of The Dirty Seahorse Workwear
"Ontarians with Crohn’s and colitis who’ve experienced a disruption in their employment due to flares or surgery want to be able to return to their jobs once they’re able. The proposed law will make it easier for them to take the time off they need without fear of losing their employment. We’re grateful for the government’s leadership in creating a new job-protected leave that aligns with the federal sickness benefit."
- Lori Radke
President and CEO, Crohn's and Colitis Canada
"Diabetes Canada supports today’s announcement by the Government of Ontario, ensuring workers who have to be off work for extended periods of time can do so without the added burden of worrying about their job security. In Ontario, 31 per cent of people live with diabetes or prediabetes—these folks are over three times more likely to be hospitalized with cardiovascular disease, 12 times more likely to be hospitalized with end-stage renal disease, and almost 20 times more likely to be hospitalized for a non-traumatic lower limb amputation. This legislation would allow workers to prioritize their health without jeopardizing their livelihood or financial well-being."
- Maria Campbell
Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy, Diabetes Canada
Additional Resources
• Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Working For Workers Five Act, 2024
• Working for Workers Four Act, 2024
• Working for Workers Act, 2023
• Working for Workers Act, 2022
• Working for Workers Act, 2021
• Ontario Helping More People Start and Grow Their Families
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Michel Figueredo 11/27/2024 |
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