OWRAC survey on the future of work

Ipsos conducted a survey of Ontario residents on behalf of the committee on the future of work. See the methodology section of this report for details on sampling and methodology. The results below do not include demographic questions.

1. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements about yourself?

ResponsesTotal AgreeTotal Disagree
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)
I am confident that I have the education or skills needed to have a job that I want where I live.73%27%
I am confident that I will be able to find and maintain a job that I am satisfied with where I live.68%32%
I know I can get training or professional development opportunities to prepare me for the economy of the future.66%34%
I have the technological and computer skills needed to operate my own business.59%41%
The COVID-19 pandemic has made me reconsider the type of job I want to do in the future.44%56%
If I could work remotely, I’m likely to move somewhere else from where I am living today.43%57%
I am interested in training or business support to start a small business.37%63%
I have found it hard to keep up with bills and payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic.35%65%
I am worried about my job security because of the COVID-19 pandemic.33%67%
I am worried about my job security because of changing technology.30%70%

2. To what extend do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

ResponsesTotal AgreeTotal Disagree
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ontario’s community colleges do a good job of preparing young people for jobs in Ontario.74%26%
Ontario should make it as easy as possible for skilled immigrants to move here from other countries.65%35%
Young people are right to expect that they will find a good paying and secure job in Ontario.57%43%
Without too much difficulty a person can find an apprenticeship or training for a skilled trade in Ontario.57%43%
Ontario’s universities do a good job of preparing young people for jobs in Ontario.56%44%
Ontario has the right policies to ensure skilled immigrants can integrate into the workforce effectively.53%47%
The current rules for work in Ontario do a good job of balancing the interests of both workers and employers.51%49%
Ontario’s government has policies to help employers prepare for technological changes that could threaten or create jobs.48%52%
We have the right rules in place in Ontario to make sure workers can have a good work life balance.47%53%

3. To what extend do you agree or disagree with the following about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic?

ResponsesTotal AgreeTotal Disagree
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)
People who work from home should have the right to disconnect from their employer at the end of each working day.95%5%
Ontario should ensure that remote workers have the same rules and regulations as people who work in a workplace.90%10%
The workplace has changed permanently due to COVID-19 and Ontario needs to update employment regulations.89%11%

6A. Which best describes how you were working just before the pandemic started early last year?

Do not ask if retired
ResponsesTotal
Base: All Respondents excluding those who retired(n=1406)
I mostly or always worked in an office away from my home43%
I mostly or always worked away from my home, not in an office24%
I mostly or always worked from my own home9%
Sometimes I worked at home and sometimes away from home6%
I was not working just before the pandemic18%

6B. Which best describes how you are working now?

ResponsesTotal
Base: All Respondents exclude those who retired(n=1181)
I mostly or always work in an office away from my home27%
I mostly or always work away from my home, but not in an office27%
I mostly or always work from my own home39%
Sometimes I work at home and sometimes away from my home7%

6C. And in which of these ways would you prefer to work once the pandemic is over?

ResponsesTotal
Base: All Respondents excluding those who retired(n=1181)
I would prefer to work completely from home29%
I would prefer to work completely away from home21%
I would prefer to work from home more than I used to do19%
I would prefer to work from home about as much I used to do8%
I would prefer to work from home less than I used to do3%
Other1%
Don’t know3%
Not applicable (the nature of my job means I don’t have a choice where I have to work)16%

4. When you think about your dream job or career (either looking ahead if you have most of your working life yet to come or looking backward if you are finished or almost finished working) which of the following do you value the most? Use a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 means ‘Do Not Value At All’ and 7 means ‘Value a Great Deal’.

Do not ask if retired
ResponsesTotal ValueNeutralTotal Do Not Value
Base: All respondents excluding those who retired(n=1406)(n=1406)(n=1406)
Knowing that I have a stable pay cheque92%5%3%
Having good health and other support benefits90%6%4%
Having interesting work to do88%7%5%
Flexibility in my workdays/hours84%11%6%
Knowing that I will have a pension when I retire84%9%7%
Being in charge of my schedule81%13%6%
Minimizing my personal risk79%14%7%
Getting to do a wide variety of different activities76%15%8%
Ability to work from home63%16%21%
Working for a big and stable organization62%20%18%
Ability to work from anywhere in the world60%16%23%
Being my own boss57%21%22%

7A. To what extent are you able to learn and develop skills needed for the jobs of the future through your current employer?

Ask if working
ResponsesTotal
Base: Those who are working(n=1062)
Top 2 Box (Net)68%
Very much (4)25%
Somewhat (3)44%
Bottom 2 Box (Net)32%
Very little (2)21%
Not at all (1)10%
Mean2.8

Assessment of Current Reputation, Responsibility and Priorities

Thinking of all the various issues and priorities that the provincial government should focus on moving forward in the recovery from the pandemic, what priority do you think each of the following issues should have? Use a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 means ‘a very low priority’ and 7 means ‘a very high priority?’

ResponsesTotal High PriorityNeutralTotal Low Priority
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
Improving the long-term care system for seniors in Ontario92%5%4%
Improving the health care system in Ontario91%6%3%
Improving the education system in Ontario88%8%4%
Ensuring adequate and affordable housing in Ontario87%8%5%
Ensuring that Ontario has enough highly skilled workers to meet the requirements of employers86%9%5%
Ensuring that workers in Ontario enjoy some of the best benefits in the world86%10%5%
Ensuring that Ontario is best place to work in North America82%13%6%
For employers, ensuring that Ontario is one of the best places in North America to find workers82%12%5%
Ensuring that Ontario is the best place in the world to operate a business80%14%6%
Ensuring that Ontario has the most talented workers in the world75%16%9%

8A. And, thinking of all the various issues and priorities that the provincial government should focus on moving forward in the recovery from the pandemic, what priority do you think each of the following issues should have? Use a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 means ‘a very low priority’ and 7 means ‘a very high priority.

ResponsesTotal High PriorityNeutralTotal Low Priority
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
Getting the economy back on track and more people working in Ontario89%8%3%
Training workers to find good paying jobs that are in demand by employers in Ontario88%8%4%
Dealing with poverty and social inequality in Ontario82%10%7%
Dealing with crime and violence in Ontario82%11%8%
Dealing with social issues like racism and discrimination in Ontario76%10%14%
Dealing with government deficits/debt in Ontario74%14%12%
Fighting climate change in Ontario74%12%14%
Lowering taxes in Ontario73%13%14%
Increasing the number of childcare spaces in Ontario73%15%12%

6. To what extent would you describe Ontario today regarding the following statements? Use a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 means ‘does not describe at all’ and 7 means ‘describes completely’.

ResponsesTotal High PriorityNeutralTotal Low Priority
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
For employers, Ontario is one of the best places in North America to find workers54%30%17%
Workers in Ontario enjoy some of the best benefits in the world52%26%22%
Ontario has enough highly skilled workers to meet the requirements of employers51%28%22%
Ontario has the most talented workers in the world49%31%20%
Ontario is best place to work in North America49%28%22%
Ontario is the best place in the world to operate a business44%32%23%

7. How much responsibility do you think each of the following organizations should have to ensure that the following are true? Use a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 means ‘no responsibility at all’ and 7 means ‘a great deal of responsibility’.

The Federal GovernmentTotal ResponsibleNeutralTotal Not Responsible
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ensuring that Ontario has enough highly skilled workers to meet the requirements of employers73%17%11%
Ensuring that workers in Ontario enjoy some of the best benefits in the world72%17%11%
For employers, ensuring that Ontario is one of the best places in North America to find workers70%19%11%
Ensuring that Ontario is the best place in the world to operate a business69%19%12%
Ensuring that Ontario is best place to work in North America68%19%12%
Ensuring that Ontario has the most talented workers in the world67%19%14%
The Provincial GovernmentTotal ResponsibleNeutralTotal Not Responsible
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ensuring that workers in Ontario enjoy some of the best benefits in the world82%12%6%
Ensuring that Ontario is best place to work in North America81%13%6%
Ensuring that Ontario has enough highly skilled workers to meet the requirements of employers81%12%6%
Ensuring that Ontario is the best place in the world to operate a business81%14%5%
For employers, ensuring that Ontario is one of the best places in North America to find workers81%13%6%
Ensuring that Ontario has the most talented workers in the world78%15%8%
Local or Municipal GovernmentTotal ResponsibleNeutralTotal Not Responsible
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ensuring that Ontario is the best place in the world to operate a business64%22%14%
Ensuring that Ontario has enough highly skilled workers to meet the requirements of employers63%20%17%
Ensuring that Ontario is best place to work in North America62%23%15%
For employers, ensuring that Ontario is one of the best places in North America to find workers62%21%17%
Ensuring that workers in Ontario enjoy some of the best benefits in the world62%21%17%
Ensuring that Ontario has the most talented workers in the world57%23%19%
Business or the Private SectorTotal ResponsibleNeutralTotal Not Responsible
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ensuring that workers in Ontario enjoy some of the best benefits in the world80%12%8%
Ensuring that Ontario is best place to work in North America76%15%9%
Ensuring that Ontario is the best place in the world to operate a business72%18%10%
For employers, ensuring that Ontario is one of the best places in North America to find workers72%17%11%
Ensuring that Ontario has the most talented workers in the world69%19%12%
Ensuring that Ontario has enough highly skilled workers to meet the requirements of employers69%19%12%
Labour UnionsTotal ResponsibleNeutralTotal Not Responsible
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ensuring that workers in Ontario enjoy some of the best benefits in the world74%16%10%
Ensuring that Ontario is best place to work in North America67%19%14%
Ensuring that Ontario has enough highly skilled workers to meet the requirements of employers66%18%16%
For employers, ensuring that Ontario is one of the best places in North America to find workers64%20%16%
Ensuring that Ontario has the most talented workers in the world62%20%19%
Ensuring that Ontario is the best place in the world to operate a business62%21%17%

Making Ontario the top destination with a world-class workforce and talent supply.

How important are each of the following to ensure that Ontario is the best place to work? Use a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 means ‘not at all important’ and 7 means ‘extremely important’.

ResponsesTotal ImportantNeutralTotal Not Important
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
A high-quality health care system92%6%2%
A high-quality education system89%8%3%
Incentives for life-long training and skills upgrading for workers86%10%4%
Affordable broadband high-speed Internet access for all of Ontario, including rural areas85%11%5%
Affordable housing84%9%7%
Higher wages for people83%12%4%
Has an innovative economy83%13%4%
A convenient and affordable public transit system82%11%7%
Ensuring gender pay equity82%11%7%
Ensuring diversity and inclusion in the workplace77%13%10%
Affordable childcare75%14%11%
Has low personal income taxes74%16%10%
Is welcoming to immigrants from other regions and countries68%16%16%

9. What, if anything else, do you feel is important to ensure that Ontario is the best place in the world to work?

ResponsesTotal
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)
Higher wages for people9%
Benefits/ incentives (insurance, paid sick leave, pension, etc.)7%
Work-life balance/ flexibility4%
Affordable housing4%
Better working conditions/ workers’ rights/ policies/ regulations4%
More jobs/ employment4%
Lower taxes (personal & corporate)4%
Equity/ equality/ fair treatment3%
Affordable cost of living3%
Incentives for life-long training and skills upgrading for workers3%
A high-quality health care system3%
Better government (honest, not corrupt, legislation, fiscal management, etc.)3%
Safe and sustainable communities for people to live in3%
Ensuring pay equity2%
Better treatment to employees/ worker support/ appreciation2%
Ensuring diversity and inclusion in the workplace2%
4 day working week/ shorter work week2%
Lesser regulations/ bureaucracy/ red tape2%
Safe workplace2%
Affordable childcare1%
Job security/ stability1%
Has an innovative economy1%
Affordable/ free education1%
More incentives to attract businesses to the province1%
Prioritize/ employ Canadians/ locals first1%
A high-quality education system1%
Reliable/ convenient public transit system1%
Access to good childcare1%
Access to high-quality/ more housing1%
Income supplement/ financial assistance/ social services1%
Better infrastructures/ public services1%
Is welcoming to immigrants from other regions and countries1%
Get rid of Doug Ford/ current government1%
Have good/ hard working/ skilled workers1%
Eliminate/ improve unions1%
Affordable broadband high-speed Internet access for all of Ontario, including rural areas1%
Addressing climate change/ having healthy environment1%
Support small businesses<1%
Other affordability mentions<1%
Acknowledge foreign training/ credentials/ experience of immigrants<1%
Hire people based on their skills, not on ethnicity<1%
Affordable public transit system<1%
Other7%
Nothing16%
Don’t know17%

13a. When it comes to ensuring that Ontarians have the technical skills needed for today’s economy, which 1 of the following 2 options do you think we need more?

ResponsesTotal
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)
More training provided to workers by business61%
More training for workers provided by government39%

13b. When it comes to ensuring that Ontarians have the technical skills needed for today’s economy, which 1 of the following 2 options do you think we need more?

ResponsesTotal
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)
Stronger labour supports and employee benefits for all workers80%
The current labour supports, and benefits are sufficient20%

14. How important are each of the following to ensure that Ontario has the most talented workers in the world? Use a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 means ‘not at all important’ and 7 means ‘extremely important.’

ResponsesTotal ImportantNeutralTotal Not Important
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ensuring that Ontarians have access to training and education programs to ensure that they are ready for the future economy.88%9%3%
Ontario should have a registered training program so people can get a tax break as they invest in their own training throughout their lives.85%10%5%
Ontario should invest more in retraining programs for current workers.83%13%5%
Ontario should invest more in elementary and high-school education.81%12%6%
The Ontario government should develop an online platform so people can match their expertise with employers who need those talents.80%14%7%
People who work for multiple employers at the same time should have the same rights and benefits as people who work for only one company.78%13%9%
Ontario should invest more in colleges and universities.76%14%9%
Personal income taxes should be lowered.74%14%13%
Ontario should financially support people who want to take time off to upgrade their skills to get a better job.72%16%13%
Ontario should bring in more new immigrants with specific skills and advanced education backgrounds that are in demand from employers.57%18%25%

15. What, if anything else, do you feel is important to ensuring that Ontario has the most talented workers in the world?

ResponsesTotal
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)
Ensuring that Ontarians have access to training and education programs to ensure that they are ready for the future economy17%
Better wages/ pay equality6%
Better benefits/ incentives4%
Affordable education/ training3%
Encourage/ value trades education/ skills2%
Paid training/ apprenticeships2%
Lower taxes/ tax breaks2%
Jobs/ opportunities2%
Free education/ training2%
Bring in more new immigrants with specific skills and advanced education2%
Get rid of current government/ have a better government/ less bureaucracy2%
Other education/ training mentions1%
Affordable housing1%
Affordable cost of living1%
Ontario should invest more in post-secondary education (colleges, universities)1%
Ontario should invest more in elementary and high-school education1%
Other affordability/ economy mentions1%
Ontario should financially support people who want to take time off to upgrade their skills to get a better job1%
Job security1%
Diversity/ inclusion1%
Education/ training for Canadian citizens before immigrants1%
Better work life balance (more vacation, flexible schedule, etc.)1%
Prioritize/ employ locals/ Canadian first1%
Hire workers based on skills/ qualifications1%
Support/ incentives for businesses/ attract more businesses1%
Better workers right/ protection1%
Better treatment/ support for employees1%
Equality/ fair treatment1%
Other employment/ workplace mentions1%
Ontario should invest more in retraining programs for current workers1%
Recognize education/ training/ experience from other countries1%
Stop immigration/ bringing in people from other countries1%
Better support (financial, social, etc.)1%
High quality healthcare system1%
Other services/ programs mentions1%
Employers should support/ invest on workers training courses1%
Make it a safe place to live and work1%
Improve/ remove unions<1%
Other immigration mentions<1%
Better immigration policies/ support<1%
Government and businesses should work together<1%
Good childcare system<1%
Other6%
Nothing19%
Don’t know23%

Ensuring that Ontario remains the best place in North America to recruit, retain and reward workers

16. How important are each of the following to ensure that Ontario is the best place in the world for employers to recruit and retain workers? Use a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 means ‘not at all important’ and 7 means ‘extremely important’.

ResponsesTotal ImportantNeutralTotal Not Important
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ontario should change the way work is regulated to address the increase in remote and technology-based work71%20%8%
Small business taxes should be lowered70%18%12%
Ontario should guarantee a certain level of income for all individuals68%14%17%
Ontario should provide financial subsidies to small businesses to hire workers67%18%15%
Ontario should provide financial subsidies to large businesses to hire workers37%25%38%
Corporate taxes should be lowered34%20%46%
Ontario should not increase the minimum wage32%14%53%

17. What, if anything else, do you feel is important to ensure that Ontario is the best place in the world for employers to recruit and retain workers?

ResponsesTotal
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)
Better (living) wage/ pay8%
Better benefits/ incentives (unspecified)8%
Better education/ training8%
Ontario should increase the minimum wage3%
Lower personal/ income taxes3%
Equality/ fair treatment3%
More jobs/ opportunities2%
Pay equity/ fair wages2%
Hire qualified/ skilled workers2%
Other employment/workplace mentions2%
Affordable cost of living2%
Affordable housing2%
Ontario should guarantee a certain level of income for all1%
Good working conditions/ workers’ rights/ better treatment1%
Allow foreign trained professionals to do their work here1%
Get rid of labour unions1%
Paid sick days/ time off1%
Good work life balance/ flexibility1%
Better/flexible working hours1%
Better health benefits1%
Priority for Canadian workers/students1%
Higher corporate taxes1%
More childcare options1%
Ontario should provide financial subsidies to small businesses to hire workers1%
Better healthcare1%
Affordable education/ training1%
Paid training/ apprenticeships1%
Job security/ stability1%
Change of government1%
Better rules/regulations1%
Less government involvement/ red tape/ bureaucracy1%
Crime control/ safer community1%
Corporate/ business taxes should be lowered<1%
More support (financial assistance, social services, etc.)<1%
Other services/programs<1%
Other tax mentions<1%
Diversity and inclusion<1%
Adequate housing<1%
Other affordability mentions<1%
Access to healthcare system<1%
Offer pension<1%
Better infrastructures/ public services<1%
Other education/training mentions<1%
Other8%
Nothing16%
Don’t know23%

Ensuring Ontario’s technology platform workers have flexibility, control and security in the work they do

Awareness of technology worker concept

18. How knowledgeable are you with the following types of jobs?

ResponsesTotal KnowledgeableTotal Not Knowledgeable
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)
Tech worker or technology platform worker45%55%
‘Gig’ Worker37%63%
Anywhere jobs39%61%

19. As you may know, a Tech Worker or Technology Platform Worker is where technology has allowed individual workers to perform one- off tasks for consumers or companies who need those services.

Some examples of this trend include drivers for ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft; people who perform deliveries through services like Skip the Dishes or Amazon; or people who perform tasks through services like TaskRabbit.

These workers typically do not follow a set schedule, get paid as they pick up assignments from customers instead of receiving an hourly wage or salary. How familiar are you with this type of employment?

ResponsesTotal
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)
Total familiar57%
Very familiar (4)13%
Somewhat familiar (3)44%
Total unfamiliar43%
Not very familiar (2)29%
Not at all familiar (1)14%

20. As you may know, a ‘Gig’ Worker is a person who works temporary jobs typically in the service sector as an independent contractor or freelancer. How familiar are you with this type of employment?

ResponsesTotal
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)
Total familiar55%
Very familiar (4)14%
Somewhat familiar (3)42%
Total unfamiliar45%
Not very familiar (2)28%
Not at all familiar (1)17%

21. Would you consider yourself currently employed in any of the following job categories?

Only ask if currently employed
ResponsesTotal
Base: Currently Employed(n=1062)
Tech or Technology Worker17%
Gig Worker16%

22. To what extend do you agree or disagree with the following about your job as a technology or ‘gig’ worker?

ResponsesTotal AgreeTotal Disagree
Base: Coded Yes at Q21(n=274)(n=274)
I have flexibility to work only when I want69%31%
I am satisfied with my job76%24%
I have job security57%43%
I feel that I am protected by Ontario’s employment laws52%48%
I make enough money to support a reasonable lifestyle58%42%

23. Based on what you know about Tech Workers or Technology Platform Workers, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following about these types of jobs?

ResponsesTotal AgreeTotal Disagree
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)
Should be covered under the same labour laws and regulations as full-time workers.75%17%
Are great for people who want a flexible schedule.79%13%
Let companies take advantage of workers.51%34%
Are a good option for older people who don’t want to work full-time anymore.71%19%
Place too much of a financial burden on workers.48%33%
I would pay more for products or services provided by technology or ‘gig’ workers to ensure that they have better working conditions48%39%
Are a good entry-level job for people who are entering the workforce.60%29%
Are the kind of jobs you can build a career out of.37%50%

24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each statement about Ontario’s Technology Platform or ‘gig’ workers?

ResourcesTotal AgreeTotal Disagree
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ontario should treat technology platform or ‘gig’ workers the same as traditional workers in terms of employment regulations and labour protections.75%14%
Ontario should treat technology platform or ‘gig’ workers the same as traditional workers in terms of employment benefits.69%19%
Ontario’s labour laws should protect people who get jobs as technology platform or ‘gig’ workers while they move from job to job71%16%
Ontario should guarantee a certain minimum level of income for technology platform or ‘gig’ workers.62%25%
To attract and keep people in Ontario it is important that we have government benefits available based on where they live not who they work for.67%19%
In the very near future people are going to be able to do many jobs from anywhere in the world.69%15%
Ontario should guarantee a certain minimum length of employment for technology platform or ‘gig’ workers for job security.56%27%
Technology platform or ‘gig’ workers and people working for multiple employers at the same time are more common.61%16%
Within my lifetime we will have as many technology platform or ‘gig’ workers as we will full time employees.53%23%
Currently, tech platform or ‘gig’ workers have the same, benefits and labour protection as traditional workers in Ontario.18%54%

25. And, to what extent do you agree or disagree with each statement about Ontario’s technology platform workers?

ResourcesTotal AgreeTotal Disagree
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)
Ontario’s technology platform or ‘gig’ workers have flexibility in their employment69%16%
Ontario’s technology platform or ‘gig’ workers have control over their employment49%35%
Ontario’s technology platform or ‘gig’ workers have security in their employment23%59%

26. What, if anything else do you feel is important to ensuring that Technology Platform Workers in Ontario have flexibility, control, and security in the work they do?

ResourcesTotal
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)
Fair/ better/ minimum wages/ income8%
Good benefits (paid sick leave, pensions, vacation pay, etc.)7%
Should have regulations/ laws to be mandated/ followed5%
Ensure workers safety/ protection4%
Protect workers’ rights/ ensure they are not taken advantage of3%
Job security/ stability3%
Ability to join unions2%
Contracts/ clear working conditions2%
Equality/ fair treatment/ same rights with other workers2%
Flexible hours/ schedule2%
Education/ training/ continuous learning2%
Not familiar/ need more information to comment2%
Have enough job opportunities/ demand of their services1%
Communication between worker and employer/ give workers a say1%
Lower taxes/ taxes payment1%
Guarantee a number of hours<1%
Provide them with adequate/ updated resources/ tools<1%
Get rid/ lessen admin fees/ cost should be shouldered by employers<1%
Support/ better support<1%
Nothing20%
Other8%
Don’t know36%

27. Now, thinking about how Ontario can ensure that technology platform workers have flexibility, control and security in the work they do. Which of the following is closest to your own opinion?

ResponsesTotal
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)
Full time employees make long-term commitments to their employers and therefore should get better benefits and support under the law than ‘gig’, technology platform, or part-time workers.50%
‘Gig’, technology platform, and part-time workers are becoming the new workforce and we need to adjust our laws to ensure they are well supported, get the same benefits as full time employees in Ontario.50%

27A. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

ResponsesTotal AgreeNeutralTotal Disagree
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
It is essential that all businesses are regulated using the same rules, whether they are part of the ‘gig’ or technology worker economy or not.28%23%8%
The ‘gig’ or technology worker economy encourages entrepreneurial behavior and is a positive thing for our society.13%37%13%
The ‘gig’ or technology worker economy is the future and shouldn’t be hindered by unnecessary regulation.9%37%27%
Regulations on traditional businesses should be relaxed so that they can compete with companies in the ‘gig’ or technology worker economy.8%39%23%
The ‘gig’ or technology worker economy is a serious threat to jobs in traditional businesses.8%39%27%

28. How much responsibility should the following organizations have in ensuring Ontario’s tech platform or ‘gig’ workers have flexibility, control and security? Use a scale from 1 to 7 where 1 means ‘no responsibility at all’ and where 7 means ‘a great deal of responsibility’.

ResponsesTotal ResponsibleNeutralTotal Not Responsible
Base: Total Respondents(n=2003)(n=2003)(n=2003)
The provincial government76%16%8%
Businesses or the private sector69%21%10%
The federal government68%19%13%
Local or municipal government58%25%17%
Labour unions57%22%21%

Which of the following describes how you usually get paid for the work you do?

Ask only if employed
ResponsesTotal
Base: Employed(n=1062)
I am paid on a weekly basis13%
I am paid on a bi-weekly basis73%
I get paid on the same day that I work2%
I get paid after each activity that I complete, when I drive someone or deliver something, etc.3%
I often get paid several months after I have completed a contract or task for someone.4%
Other6%