ESA is often used as an abbreviation for Employment Standards Act. In Ontario, this is the legislation used for non-unionized environments and most employees in Ontario are protected by this legislation. Often if there is a Collective Agreement in place, this Collective Agreement often supersedes the ESA. Leadership is also exempt from the employment standards. The Employment Standards Act is primarily used as a guide for minimum standards, meaning this is what employers in Ontario need to do at the minimum to employ a person. To learn more about the Employment Standards Act of Ontario, visit this link here.

The Labour Relations Act in Ontario is the legislation granting people of the province the free choice to join an organization to represent themselves to their employer. An example of this, is a Union in a manufacturing setting, or a trade union for the trades environment. The Labour Relations Act stipulates all the rules surrounding membership to the union, voting, certification applications, how to bargain, mediation, arbitration, negotiations and the list continues. To see the copy of the Ontario Labour Relations Act, visit this link here.

The world of Occupational Health & Safety is often a whole department on its own, and rightfully so, the Health & Safety discipline is a large one. In Ontario, the Occupational Health & Safety Act is known as the Green Book – one that you will see in all employment settings. This act sets out the rules of employers, supervisors and employees. We all must follow safety rules and we all have a responsibility. Remember, Safety First. To learn more, visit the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety link here.

In Canada, each person has rights under the Canadian Human Rights Act. It is the principal that all individuals should have an opportunity equal with other individuals to make for themselves the lives that they are able to, wish to have, and to have their needs accommodated, consistent with their duties and obligations as members of society. Those living in Canada cannot be hindered in or prevented from doing so by discriminatory practices based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability or conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered. To understand the Human Rights, in Canada, a little bit more, visit this link here.