Ontario to tighten rules for temp agencies, firms that recruit foreign workers

The Ontario government is set to bring in the province's strictest-ever rules for companies that recruit temporary workers, including a system for shutting down temp agencies that exploit staff, CBC News has learned.

Senior officials with the Ministry of Labour say the plans include mandatory licensing for temporary help agencies, giving the province the power to stop firms from operating if they violate employment standards.

The government will also create a dedicated team of inspectors to root out illegal treatment of workers and recover unpaid wages.

The changes will be part of upcoming legislation that will make Ontario's protection of temp workers the strongest in Canada, he said.
"We'll be bringing forward legislation this month focused on protecting all workers, because enough is enough and we can do better," he said during a speech to the annual general meeting of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council, an umbrella group of unions.
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