Actions in progress

Review Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act reporting thresholds

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

Annual reporting for Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliance is repetitive and time consuming. This issue was also raised in the auto parts manufacturing report.

Our plan

To make accessibility compliance reporting easier, the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario is developing a new form to simplify the process for the 2017 reporting year. The accessible form will include direct links to resources and features to help users throughout the reporting process.

In addition, the directorate is working to increase sector education through targeted articles in industry publications, clarifying reporting schedules and how the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act applies to the food processing sector.

The directorate will also promote monthly bulletins (i.e. the AODA Toolbox) for up-to-date information on requirements and tools to help with compliance.

Under the current system, small private sector organizations with fewer than 20 employees are exempt from reporting requirements. In order to reduce burden for those that are required to submit reports, organizations from the broader public sector are required to submit reports every 2 years while and every three years for private sector organizations with 20 or more employees . Only the Government of Ontario and the Office of the Legislative Assembly are required to submit compliance reports annually.

Review accessible website requirements

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

Ontario’s accessible web content requirements are too expensive for small businesses to implement. This issue was also raised in the auto parts manufacturing report.

Our plan

Under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, private sector organizations with fewer than 50 employees are not required to comply with the requirements for accessible websites and web content.

The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario is working to make it easier for organizations to meet accessible web content requirements.

The directorate provides free resources to help small businesses comply with website accessibility requirements. Examples include an introductory guide to web accessibility for developers, a helpful guide for businesses that need to hire developers to complete accessible web projects and monthly bulletins (the AODA Toolbox) that share up-to-date information on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and resources to help with compliance. The directorate will continue to encourage businesses to sign up for the AODA Toolbox so they receive helpful compliance tips.

The directorate is also working to increase awareness of requirements by publishing articles in industry publications throughout 2017.

In addition, accessible website requirements will be reviewed as part of the Information and Communications Standarda review. A standards development committee will review the standard and their recommendations will be posted on the Accessibility Directorate website for public review and comment.

Actions tracking

Review Employment Standards Act provisions

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

There are a number of concerns related to the administration of employment standards, including:

  • approval process for excess hours of work is burdensome, especially in routine scenarios
  • the act is confusing and difficult for small businesses to understand
  • difficulties managing personal emergency leave

Our plan

As signaled in the 2015 Fall Economic Statement and detailed in the Red Tape Challenge auto parts manufacturing report, the government responded to concerns raised by the business community by piloting a new approach to personal emergency leave in the auto sector. Amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) made in January 2017 group personal emergency leave into two categories: a three day bereavement leave per incident and a seven day annual leave for the illness, injury, or medical emergency of the employee or certain family members or other urgent matter concerning certain family members.

In 2015, the government appointed two independent special advisors to lead the changing workplaces review. The special advisors heard many proposals on how the ESA could be amended to better protect workers while supporting businesses in the changing economy.

The special advisors are now considering all input received in response to the interim report (released in July 2016, outlining the submissions received in the first phase of consultation and potential options that could be considered) before delivering their final report and recommendations to the government in early 2017.

Address apprenticeship ratios

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

Apprenticeship ratios are restrictive and make it difficult for employers to take on apprentices. This issue was also raised in the auto parts manufacturing report.

Our plan

In Ontario, supervision ratios only apply to apprentices and journeypersons working in the construction sector.

The government, working with the Ontario College of Trades, will ensure that guidance and communications materials related to apprenticeship supervision clarify this fact.

The recommendations laid out in the Dean report identified opportunities for improving the process and criteria for ratio review.

The report recommended the College consider the following criteria for ratio reviews:

  • the quality of on-the-job training
  • the risk of harm for apprentices
  • demographic and labour market information
  • economic impact
  • demand for skilled trades in different regional/geographic areas of the province
  • experience of ratio for a similar trade or trade sector in other jurisdictions
  • other factors in the public interest

The College will consider the report’s recommendations in advance of the next round of ratio reviews, which will begin in 2018.

The government will also consider how advice from the Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Expert Panel might make it easier for Ontario businesses to take on apprentices.

Improve the apprenticeship certification process

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

The apprenticeship certification process is costly, time consuming, and not always necessary for the role.

Our plan

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development is working on ways to streamline apprenticeship service delivery, and to improve end-to-end support for apprentices throughout their apprenticeship program. These include the introduction of online services for apprenticeship registration and an apprenticeship monitoring strategy. Work will continue throughout 2017-18.

Promote training opportunities in the dairy sector

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

There are limited educational and apprenticeship opportunities in the dairy industry.

Our plan

The Ontario Dairy Council has confirmed that there is currently a shortage of qualified cheese makers in the province, primarily due to a lack of available training programs.

The Ontario Dairy Council is meeting with Colleges Ontario to discuss developing a college-level accredited program for cheese maker training to help fill this shortage of qualified cheese makers.