Expenditure Estimates for the Ministry of Labour (2018-19)

The 2018-2019 Expenditure Estimates set out details of the operating and capital spending requirements of the Ministry of Labour for the fiscal year commencing April 1, 2018.

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Summary

The Ministry’s key activities are: Occupational Health and Safety Enforcement and Prevention, Employment Rights and Responsibilities, and Labour Relations. The Ministry provides advice and information to the government on labour and workplace issues; establishes and implements a provincial occupational health and safety strategy to ensure the alignment of health and safety activities across all system partners; designates, funds and maintains oversight over Health and Safety Associations; establishes standards for training programs, training providers, as well as training and other requirements for certification of joint health and safety committee members; develops policies; sets and enforces standards and legislation; carries out investigations; informs employers and workers about their workplace rights and responsibilities; ensures the provision of assistance in negotiating collective agreements and establishing arbitration boards; assists in building cooperative workplace relationships; and administers, interprets, and applies relevant labour legislation.

Ministry program summary

Vote	Program	Estimates 2018-19	Estimates 2017-18	Difference between 2018-19 and 2017-18	Actual 2016-17
	Operating expense
1601	Ministry Administration Program	$21,510,400	$20,231,500	$1,278,900	$20,989,470
1602	Pay Equity and Transparency Program	$5,092,400	$3,596,000	$1,496,400	$3,202,515
1603	Labour Relations Program	$25,205,100	$24,271,100	$934,000	$23,672,537
1604	Occupational Health and Safety Program	$223,984,700	$223,679,000	$305,700	$219,594,870
1605	Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program	$52,150,700	$38,564,600	$13,586,100	$39,609,694
	Total operating expense to be voted	$327,943,300	$310,342,200	$17,601,100	$307,069,086
	Statutory appropriations	$65,014	$65,014	-	$84,747
	Ministry total operating expense	$328,008,314	$310,407,214	$17,601,100	$307,153,833
	Operating assets
1601	Ministry Administration Program	$1,000	-	$1,000	-
	Total operating assets to be voted	$1,000	-	$1,000	-
	Ministry total operating assets	$1,000	-	$1,000	-
	Capital expense
1601	Ministry Administration Program	$1,000	$901,000	($900,000)	$649,963
1604	Occupational Health and Safety Program	$491,000	$491,000	-	$490,000
1605	Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program	$1,875,700	$1,000	$1,874,700	-
	Total capital expense to be voted	$2,367,700	$1,393,000	$974,700	$1,139,963
	Statutory appropriations	$244,700	$3,000	$241,700	-
	Ministry total capital expense	$2,612,400	$1,396,000	$1,216,400	$1,139,963
	Capital assets
1601	Ministry Administration Program	$1,000	-	$1,000	-
1604	Occupational Health and Safety Program	$2,101,000	$1,000	$2,100,000	-
1605	Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program	$3,816,000	$1,000	$3,815,000	-
	Total capital assets to be voted	$5,918,000	$2,000	$5,916,000	-
	Ministry total capital assets	$5,918,000	$2,000	$5,916,000	-
	Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)	$330,620,714	$311,803,214	$18,817,500	$308,293,796

Ministry Administration Program - vote 1601

This Program coordinates the decision making processes of the Ministry and provides technical and professional services to support the design, implementation and effective delivery of Ministry programs. The Program includes the Minister’s Office, Parliamentary Assistant’s Office and Deputy Minister’s Office.

Vote summary

Item number	Item	Estimates 2018-19	Estimates 2017-18	Difference between 2018-19 and 2017-18	Actual 2016-17
	Operating expense
1	Ministry Administration	$21,510,400	$20,231,500	$1,278,900	$20,989,470
	Total operating expense to be voted	$21,510,400	$20,231,500	$1,278,900	$20,989,470
S	Minister’s salary, the Executive Council Act	$47,841	$47,841	-	$49,301
S	Parliamentary Assistant’s salary, the Executive Council Act	$16,173	$16,173	-	$33,334
S	Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act	$1,000	$1,000	-	$2,112
	Total statutory appropriations	$65,014	$65,014	-	$84,747
	Total operating expense	$21,575,414	$20,296,514	$1,278,900	$21,074,217
	Operating assets
10	Accounts receivable	$1,000	-	$1,000	-
	Total operating assets to be voted	$1,000	-	$1,000	-
	Total operating assets	$1,000	-	$1,000	-
	Capital expense
3	Ministry Administration	$1,000	$901,000	($900,000)	$649,963
	Total capital expense to be voted	$1,000	$901,000	($900,000)	$649,963
S	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total statutory appropriations	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total capital expense	$2,000	$902,000	($900,000)	$649,963
	Capital assets
2	Ministry Administration	$1,000	-	$1,000	-
	Total capital assets to be voted	$1,000	-	$1,000	-
	Total capital assets	$1,000	-	$1,000	-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item number	Standard account by item and sub-items	Amount	Amount
	Operating expense
1601-1	Ministry Administration
	Salaries and wages		$8,265,600
	Employee benefits		$994,200
	Transportation and communication		$821,400
	Services		$11,110,900
	Supplies and equipment		$318,300
	Total operating expense to be voted		$21,510,400
	Sub-items:
	Main office
	Salaries and wages	$2,018,100
	Employee benefits	$245,600
	Transportation and communication	$77,500
	Services	$1,600,200
	Supplies and equipment	$51,400	$3,992,800
	Financial and administrative services
	Salaries and wages	$1,495,000
	Employee benefits	$181,000
	Transportation and communication	$52,900
	Services	$705,700
	Supplies and equipment	$33,300	$2,467,900
	Corporate Services
	Salaries and wages	$997,000
	Employee benefits	$120,100
	Transportation and communication	$19,600
	Services	$206,800
	Supplies and equipment	$11,800	$1,355,300
	Strategic human resources
	Salaries and wages	$1,092,600
	Employee benefits	$132,900
	Transportation and communication	$39,400
	Services	$221,600
	Supplies and equipment	$26,800	$1,513,300
	Communications services
	Salaries and wages	$2,600,400
	Employee benefits	$304,800
	Transportation and communication	$124,500
	Services	$240,200
	Supplies and equipment	$25,000	$3,294,900
	Legal services
	Salaries and wages	$62,500
	Employee benefits	$9,800
	Transportation and communication	$507,500
	Services	$7,574,500
	Supplies and equipment	$170,000	$8,324,300
	Audit services
	Services	$252,100	$252,100
	Information systems
	Services	$309,800	$309,800
	Total operating expense to be voted		$21,510,400
	Statutory appropriations
Statutory	Minister’s salary, the Executive Council Act		$47,841
Statutory	Parliamentary Assistant’s salary, the Executive Council Act		$16,173
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act		$1,000
	Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program		$21,575,414
	Operating assets
1601-10	Accounts receivable
	Advances and recoverable amounts
	Advances and Recoverable - In-year Recoveries		$1,000
	Total operating assets to be voted		$1,000
	Total operating assets for Ministry Administration Program		$1,000
	Capital expense
1601-3	Ministry Administration
	Other transactions		$1,000
	Total capital expense to be voted		$1,000
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act		$1,000
	Total capital expense for Ministry Administration Program		$2,000
	Capital assets
1601-2	Ministry Administration
	Land and marine fleet - asset costs		$1,000
	Total capital assets to be voted		$1,000
	Total capital assets for Ministry Administration Program		$1,000

Pay Equity and Transparency Program - vote 1602

The role of the Pay Equity and Transparency Program is to redress systemic gender discrimination in the compensation of work primarily performed by women and to create fairer workplaces by increasing transparency of pay and workforce composition. This is carried out through the activities of three key areas, the Pay Equity Office (PEO), the Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal (PEHT), and the Pay and Workforce Transparency Office (PWTO).

The mandate of the PEO is to administer and enforce Ontario’s Pay Equity Act. To carry out this mandate, the PEO provides education and advice to employers, employees, and bargaining agents in the public and private sectors to achieve and maintain pay equity in their workplaces. The PEO also investigates complaints, conducts monitoring programs, attempts to effect settlements of pay equity issues between the parties and issues Orders for compliance where necessary.

The PWTO is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of workplace transparency in the public and private sectors. This includes policy development and implementation of pay and workforce transparency measures for large employers; developing online tools and guidance materials to enable employer reporting; monitoring, data collection, and conducting analysis on organizational gender and diversity gaps; and conducting employer awareness and educational activities.

The Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal, a quasi-judicial tri-partite administrative tribunal, is responsible for adjudicating disputes arising under the Pay Equity Act.

Vote summary

Item number	Item	Estimates 2018-19	Estimates 2017-18	Difference between 2018-19 and 2017-18	Actual 2016-17
	Operating expense
1	Pay Equity Office	$3,594,200	$3,097,700	$496,500	$2,931,833
2	Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal	$498,200	$498,300	($100)	$270,682
3	Pay and Workforce Transparency Office	$1,000,000	-	$1,000,000	-
	Total operating expense to be voted	$5,092,400	$3,596,000	$1,496,400	$3,202,515
	Total operating expense	$5,092,400	$3,596,000	$1,496,400	$3,202,515

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item number	Standard account by item and sub-items	Amount
	Operating expense
1602-1	Pay Equity Office
	Salaries and wages	$2,847,100
	Employee benefits	$266,100
	Transportation and communication	$50,000
	Services	$361,000
	Supplies and equipment	$20,000
	Transfer payments
	Gender Wage Gap Transfer Payment	$50,000
	Total operating expense to be voted	$3,594,200
1602-2	Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal
	Salaries and wages	$275,100
	Employee benefits	$39,700
	Transportation and communication	$15,000
	Services	$167,400
	Supplies and equipment	$1,000
	Total operating expense to be voted	$498,200
1602-3	Pay and Workforce Transparency Office
	Salaries and wages	$428,200
	Employee benefits	$64,700
	Services	$507,100
	Total operating expense to be voted	$1,000,000
	Total operating expense for Pay Equity and Transparency Program	$5,092,400

Labour Relations Program - vote 1603

The role of Labour Relations is to promote a stable labour relations climate and harmonious workplace relationships in the province. This is achieved through collective agreement conciliation and mediation, appointment of arbitrators, modernized collective bargaining information services, relationship building and training.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal which mediates and adjudicates a variety of employment and labour relations-related matters under various Ontario statutes, including appeals of decisions of employment standards officers and occupational health and safety inspectors.

The Crown Employees Grievance Settlement Board (GSB) is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that mediates and adjudicates the labour relations disputes of Ontario Crown Employees. The GSB also provides financial and administrative services to the Public Service Grievance Board, an agency of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.

Dispute Resolution Services provides neutral, third-party assistance to trade unions and employers through collective agreement conciliation and mediation, appointment of arbitrators, collective bargaining information, relationship building and training.

The Labour Relations Program also oversees the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009 and provides secretariat support to the College of Trades Appointments Council and Classification Roster.

Vote summary

Item number	Item	Estimates 2018-19	Estimates 2017-18	Difference between 2018-19 and 2017-18	Actual 2016-17
	Operating expense
1	Ontario Labour Relations Board	$12,900,000	$12,596,200	$303,800	$12,893,314
2	Grievance Settlement Board	$2,150,900	$1,482,100	$668,800	$1,319,935
3	Dispute Resolution Services	$8,859,800	$10,192,800	($1,333,000)	$9,459,288
4	Ontario Skilled Trades	$1,294,400	-	$1,294,400	-
	Total operating expense to be voted	$25,205,100	$24,271,100	$934,000	$23,672,537
	Total operating expense	$25,205,100	$24,271,100	$934,000	$23,672,537

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item number	Standard account by item and sub-items	Amount
	Operating expense
1603-1	Ontario Labour Relations Board
	Salaries and wages	$8,159,900
	Employee benefits	$1,002,100
	Transportation and communication	$448,900
	Services	$3,206,900
	Supplies and equipment	$82,200
	Total operating expense to be voted	$12,900,000
1603-2	Grievance Settlement Board
	Salaries and wages	$465,000
	Employee benefits	$73,500
	Transportation and communication	$128,200
	Services	$3,302,700
	Supplies and equipment	$23,200
	Subtotal	$3,992,600
	Less: recoveries	$1,841,700
	Total operating expense to be voted	$2,150,900
1603-3	Dispute Resolution Services
	Salaries and wages	$6,135,200
	Employee benefits	$746,200
	Transportation and communication	$528,300
	Services	$1,376,200
	Supplies and equipment	$73,900
	Total operating expense to be voted	$8,859,800
1603-4	Ontario Skilled Trades
	Salaries and wages	$958,500
	Employee benefits	$143,800
	Transportation and communication	$4,900
	Services	$184,500
	Supplies and equipment	$2,700
	Total operating expense to be voted	$1,294,400
	Total operating expense for Labour Relations Program	$25,205,100

Occupational Health and Safety Program - vote 1604

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Program’s primary mandate is the setting, communicating and enforcing of the occupational health and safety legislation and regulations, and coordinating Ontario’s workplace injury and illness prevention system to reduce or eliminate workplace injury or illness.

Largely through inspections and investigations of workplaces, the OHS program monitors compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act), and assists workplace parties in securing a healthy and safe working environment. Through the administration and enforcement of the Act and its regulations, it encourages employers and workers to cooperatively identify and control health and safety hazards.

The Prevention Office is responsible for initiatives aimed at preventing occupational injuries, illness and fatalities in Ontario. This includes the development of a province-wide health and safety strategy to align OHS priorities across all system partners, and related implementation activities such as mandatory workplace health and safety training, standards, research and awareness. The Office establishes standards for, and approval of high risk training programs and providers; as well as requirements for certification of joint health and safety committee members. It also oversees prevention research and innovation grants programs which provide funding to recipients who meet specific eligibility criteria. Through transfer payment agreements, the office designates and maintains oversight of Health and Safety Associations, who offer specific training, consulting and clinical services.

The Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) provides advisory, representation and educational services to non-unionized injured workers and survivors in workplace insurance cases, including representation before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. The OWA also provides the same range of services to non-unionized workers in reprisal complaint cases under Section 50 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including representation at the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

The Office of the Employer Adviser (OEA) provides advisory and educational services to all Ontario employers and representation services primarily to smaller employers, with fewer than 100 employees, with regard to workplace safety insurance matters before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. The OEA also provides representation services to employers with fewer than 50 workers at the Ontario Labour Relations Board in reprisal complaint cases under Section 50 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Vote summary

Item number	Item	Estimates 2018-19	Estimates 2017-18	Difference between 2018-19 and 2017-18	Actual 2016-17
	Operating expense
1	Occupational Health and Safety	$89,085,600	$89,046,300	$39,300	$88,502,154
2	Workplace Safety and Insurance Advisory Program Administration	$606,300	$606,300	-	$605,300
3	Office of the Worker Adviser	$11,379,600	$11,390,000	($10,400)	$11,319,063
4	Office of the Employer Adviser	$3,779,600	$3,783,800	($4,200)	$3,604,602
7	Prevention Office	$119,133,600	$118,852,600	$281,000	$115,563,751
	Total operating expense to be voted	$223,984,700	$223,679,000	$305,700	$219,594,870
	Total operating expense	$223,984,700	$223,679,000	$305,700	$219,594,870
	Capital expense
6	Occupational Health and Safety	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
8	Prevention Office Capital	$490,000	$490,000	-	$490,000
	Total capital expense to be voted	$491,000	$491,000	-	$490,000
S	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act	$53,500	$1,000	$52,500	-
	Total statutory appropriations	$53,500	$1,000	$52,500	-
	Total capital expense	$544,500	$492,000	$52,500	$490,000
	Capital assets
5	Occupational Health and Safety	$2,101,000	$1,000	$2,100,000	-
	Total capital assets to be voted	$2,101,000	$1,000	$2,100,000	-
	Total capital assets	$2,101,000	$1,000	$2,100,000	-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item number	Standard account by item and sub-items	Amount	Amount
	Operating expense
1604-1	Occupational Health and Safety
	Salaries and wages		$60,838,700
	Employee benefits		$9,048,400
	Transportation and communication		$4,133,000
	Services		$13,385,900
	Supplies and equipment		$1,388,600
	Transfer payments
	Grants to Radiation Safety Institute of Canada	$40,000
	Grants to Promote Improved Health and Safety Practices	$251,000	$291,000
	Total operating expense to be voted		$89,085,600
1604-2	Workplace Safety and Insurance Advisory Program Administration
	Salaries and wages		$506,200
	Employee benefits		$75,900
	Transportation and communication		$8,200
	Services		$5,600
	Supplies and equipment		$10,400
	Total operating expense to be voted		$606,300
1604-3	Office of the Worker Adviser
	Salaries and wages		$7,783,100
	Employee benefits		$1,790,100
	Transportation and communication		$300,000
	Services		$1,406,400
	Supplies and equipment		$100,000
	Total operating expense to be voted		$11,379,600
1604-4	Office of the Employer Adviser
	Salaries and wages		$2,582,700
	Employee benefits		$594,100
	Transportation and communication		$154,300
	Services		$358,700
	Supplies and equipment		$89,800
	Total operating expense to be voted		$3,779,600
1604-7	Prevention Office
	Salaries and wages		$9,289,500
	Employee benefits		$1,239,500
	Transportation and communication		$317,300
	Services		$3,952,200
	Supplies and equipment		$147,600
	Transfer payments
	Health and Safety Associations	$92,517,300
	Prevention Research	$8,501,400
	Prevention Grants	$3,168,800	$104,187,500
	Total operating expense to be voted		$119,133,600
	Total operating expense for Occupational Health and Safety Program		$223,984,700
	Capital expense
1604-6	Occupational Health and Safety
	Other transactions		$1,000
	Total capital expense to be voted		$1,000
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act		$53,500
1604-8	Prevention Office Capital
	Transfer payments
	Health and Safety Associations Capital		$490,000
	Total capital expense to be voted		$490,000
	Total capital expense for Occupational Health and Safety Program		$544,500
	Capital assets
1604-5	Occupational Health and Safety
	Machinery and equipment - asset costs		$2,101,000
	Total capital assets to be voted		$2,101,000
	Total capital assets for Occupational Health and Safety Program		$2,101,000

Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program - vote 1605

The Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program (ERRP) is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and its regulations, the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act, and the Protecting Child Performers Act.

The ERRP ensures that Ontario workers are protected by minimum standards of employment covering wages and working conditions. It promotes compliance with these standards through inspections, investigations and enforcement initiatives, and encourages self-reliance through education, outreach and partnership efforts.

Vote summary

Item number	Item	Estimates 2018-19	Estimates 2017-18	Difference between 2018-19 and 2017-18	Actual 2016-17
	Operating expense
1	Employment Standards	$52,150,700	$38,564,600	$13,586,100	$39,609,694
	Total operating expense to be voted	$52,150,700	$38,564,600	$13,586,100	$39,609,694
	Total operating expense	$52,150,700	$38,564,600	$13,586,100	$39,609,694
	Capital expense
2	Employment Standards	$1,875,700	$1,000	$1,874,700	-
	Total capital expense to be voted	$1,875,700	$1,000	$1,874,700	-
S	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act	$190,200	$1,000	$189,200	-
	Total statutory appropriations	$190,200	$1,000	$189,200	-
	Total capital expense	$2,065,900	$2,000	$2,063,900	-
	Capital assets
3	Employment Standards	$3,816,000	$1,000	$3,815,000	-
	Total capital assets to be voted	$3,816,000	$1,000	$3,815,000	-
	Total capital assets	$3,816,000	$1,000	$3,815,000	-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item number	Standard account by item and sub-items	Amount
	Operating expense
1605-1	Employment Standards
	Salaries and wages	$35,143,100
	Employee benefits	$5,390,200
	Transportation and communication	$2,201,700
	Services	$7,674,000
	Supplies and equipment	$739,700
	Transfer payments
	Grants to Promote Improved Employment Practices	$1,002,000
	Total operating expense to be voted	$52,150,700
	Total operating expense for Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program	$52,150,700
	Capital expense
1605-2	Employment Standards
	Services	$1,000
	Other transactions	$1,874,700
	Total capital expense to be voted	$1,875,700
	Statutory appropriation
	Other transactions
Statutory	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act	$190,200
	Total capital expense for Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program	$2,065,900
	Capital assets
1605-3	Employment Standards
	Business application software - asset costs	$3,816,000
	Total capital assets to be voted	$3,816,000
	Total capital assets for Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program	$3,816,000

Updated: January 15, 2026

Published: April 23, 2018