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
2019-20

Estimates
2018-19

Difference
between
2019-20
and
2018-19

Actual
2017-18
 

Operating expense

        

1601

Ministry Administration Program

$21,492,500

$21,510,400

($17,900)

$24,070,461

1602

Pay Equity Commission

$3,539,300

$5,092,400

($1,553,100)

$3,468,515

1603

Labour Relations Program

$24,257,800

$23,942,200

$315,600

$23,456,417

1604

Occupational Health and Safety Program

$208,360,000

$223,984,700

($15,624,700)

$222,573,365

1605

Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program

$47,286,000

$52,150,700

($4,864,700)

$42,412,698
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$304,935,600

$326,680,400

($21,744,800)

$315,981,456
 

Statutory appropriations

$65,014

$65,014

-

$73,912
 

Ministry total operating expense

$305,000,614

$326,745,414

($21,744,800)

$316,055,368
 

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

$1,000

-

$876,639

1604

Occupational Health and Safety Program

$491,000

$491,000

-

$489,945

1605

Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program

$1,000

$1,875,700

($1,874,700)

-
 

Total capital expense to be voted

$493,000

$2,367,700

($1,874,700)

$1,366,584
 

Statutory appropriations

$609,100

$244,700

$364,400

-
 

Ministry total capital expense

$1,102,100

$2,612,400

($1,510,300)

$1,366,584
 

Capital assets

        

1601

Ministry Administration Program

$1,000

$1,000

-

-

1604

Occupational Health and Safety Program

$2,657,000

$2,101,000

$556,000

-

1605

Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program

$3,836,200

$3,816,000

$20,200

$1,622,127
 

Total capital assets to be voted

$6,494,200

$5,918,000

$576,200

$1,622,127
 

Ministry total capital assets

$6,494,200

$5,918,000

$576,200

$1,622,127
 

Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)

$306,102,714

$329,357,814

($23,255,100)

$317,421,952

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expense

2018-19
Estimates

2017-18
Actual

Total operating expense previously published footnote 1

$328,008,314

$317,123,017

Government reorganization

    

Transfer of functions to other Ministries

($1,262,900)

($1,067,649)

Restated total operating expense

$326,745,414

$316,055,368

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
2019-20

Estimates
2018-19

Difference
between
2019-20
and
2018-19

Actual
2017-18
 

Operating expense

        

1

Ministry Administration

$21,492,500

$21,510,400

($17,900)

$24,070,461
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$21,492,500

$21,510,400

($17,900)

$24,070,461

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

-

$22,178

S

Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act

$1,000

$1,000

-

$2,433
 

Total statutory appropriations

$65,014

$65,014

-

$73,912
 

Total operating expense

$21,557,514

$21,575,414

($17,900)

$24,144,373
 

Operating assets

        

10

Accounts receivable

$1,000

$1,000

-

-
 

Total operating assets to be voted

$1,000

$1,000

-

-
 

Total operating assetsr

$1,000

$1,000

-

-
 

Capital expense

        

3

Ministry Administration

$1,000

$1,000

-

$876,639
 

Total capital expense to be voted

$1,000

$1,000

-

$876,639

S

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

$1,000

$1,000

-

-
 

Total statutory appropriations

$1,000

$1,000

-

-
 

Total capital expense

$2,000

$2,000

-

$876,639
 

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

  

$11,093,000
 

Supplies and equipment

  

$318,300
 

Total operating expense to be voted

  

$21,492,500
 

Sub-items:

    
 

Main office

    
 

Salaries and wages

$2,018,100

  
 

Employee benefits

$245,600

  
 

Transportation and communication

$77,500

  
 

Services

$1,598,400

  
 

Supplies and equipment

$51,400

$3,991,000
 

Financial and Administrative Services

    
 

Salaries and wages

$1,495,000

  
 

Employee benefits

$181,000

  
 

Transportation and communication

$52,900

  
 

Services

$703,200

  
 

Supplies and equipment

$33,300

$2,465,400
 

Corporate Services

    
 

Salaries and wages

$997,000

  
 

Employee benefits

$120,100

  
 

Transportation and communication

$19,600

  
 

Services

$205,700

  
 

Supplies and equipment

$11,800

$1,354,200
 

Strategic Human Resources

    
 

Salaries and wages

$1,092,600

  
 

Employee benefits

$132,900

  
 

Transportation and communication

$39,400

  
 

Services

$220,200

  
 

Supplies and equipment

$26,800

$1,511,900
 

Communications Services

    
 

Salaries and wages

$2,600,400

  
 

Employee benefits

$304,800

  
 

Transportation and communication

$124,500

  
 

Services

$235,600

  
 

Supplies and equipment

$25,000

$3,290,300
 

Legal Services

    
 

Salaries and wages

$62,500

  
 

Employee benefits

$9,800

  
 

Transportation and communication

$507,500

  
 

Services

$7,570,600

  
 

Supplies and equipment

$170,000

$8,320,400
 

Audit Services

    
 

Services

$252,100

$252,100
 

Information Systems

    
 

Services

$307,200

$307,200
 

Total operating expense to be voted

  

$21,492,500
 

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

  

$21,557,514
 

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 Commission - vote 1602

The role of the Pay Equity Commission is to redress systemic gender discrimination in the compensation of work primarily performed by women. This is carried out through the activities of the Pay Equity Office (PEO) and the Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal (PEHT).

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 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
2019-20

Estimates
2018-19

Difference
between
2019-20
and
2018-19

Actual
2017-18
 

Operating expense

        

1

Pay Equity Office

$3,041,200

$3,594,200

($553,000)

$3,111,861

2

Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal

$498,100

$498,200

($100)

$356,654

-

Pay and Workforce Transparency Office

-

$1,000,000

($1,000,000)

-
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$3,539,300

$5,092,400

($1,553,100)

$3,468,515
 

Total operating expense

$3,539,300

$5,092,400

($1,553,100)

$3,468,515

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

$2,347,100
 

Employee benefits

$266,100
 

Transportation and communication

$50,000
 

Services

$358,000
 

Supplies and equipment

$20,000
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$3,041,200

1602-2

Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal

  
 

Salaries and wages

$275,100
 

Employee benefits

$39,700
 

Transportation and communication

$15,000
 

Services

$167,300
 

Supplies and equipment

$1,000
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$498,100
 

Total operating expense for Pay Equity Commission

$3,539,300

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.

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.

Vote summary

Item number

Item

Estimates
2019-20

Estimates
2018-19

Difference
between
2019-20
and
2018-19

Actual
2017-18
 

Operating expense

        

1

Ontario Labour Relations Board

$12,890,700

$12,900,000

($9,300)

$13,053,760

2

Grievance Settlement Board

$2,486,700

$2,150,900

$335,800

$2,079,187

3

Dispute Resolution Services

$8,880,400

$8,859,800

$20,600

$8,323,470

-

Ontario Skilled Trades

-

$31,500

($31,500)

-
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$24,257,800

$23,942,200

$315,600

$23,456,417
 

Total operating expense

$24,257,800

$23,942,200

$315,600

$23,456,417

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

$3,197,600
 

Supplies and equipment

$82,200
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$12,890,700

1603-2

Grievance Settlement Board

  
 

Salaries and wages

$465,000
 

Employee benefits

$73,500
 

Transportation and communication

$128,200
 

Services

$3,902,900
 

Supplies and equipment

$23,200
 

Subtotal

$4,592,800
 

Less: recoveries

$2,106,100
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$2,486,700

1603-3

Dispute Resolution Services

  
 

Salaries and wages

$6,135,200
 

Employee benefits

$746,200
 

Transportation and communication

$528,300
 

Services

$1,396,800
 

Supplies and equipment

$73,900
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$8,880,400
 

Total operating expense for Labour Relations Program

$24,257,800

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
2019-20

Estimates
2018-19

Difference
between
2019-20
and
2018-19

Actual
2017-18
 

Operating expense

        

1

Occupational Health and Safety

$89,597,900

$89,085,600

$512,300

$88,936,167

2

Workplace Safety and Insurance Advisory Program Administration

$606,300

$606,300

-

$605,300

3

Office of the Worker Adviser

$11,371,000

$11,379,600

($8,600)

$11,302,669

4

Office of the Employer Adviser

$3,776,800

$3,779,600

($2,800)

$3,630,493

7

Prevention Office

$103,008,000

$119,133,600

($16,125,600)

$118,098,736
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$208,360,000

$223,984,700

($15,624,700)

$222,573,365
 

Total operating expense

$208,360,000

$223,984,700

($15,624,700)

$222,573,365
 

Capital expense

        

6

Occupational Health and Safety

$1,000

$1,000

-

-

8

Prevention Office Capital

$490,000

$490,000

-

$489,945
 

Total capital expense to be voted

$491,000

$491,000

-

$489,945

S

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

$67,400

$53,500

$13,900

-
 

Total statutory appropriations

$67,400

$53,500

$13,900

-
 

Total capital expense

$558,400

$544,500

$13,900

$489,945
 

Capital assets

        

5

Occupational Health and Safety

$2,657,000

$2,101,000

$556,000

-
 

Total capital assets to be voted

$2,657,000

$2,101,000

$556,000

-
 

Total capital assets

$2,657,000

$2,101,000

$556,000

-

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

  

$14,148,200
 

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

$1,000

$41,000
 

Total operating expense to be voted

  

$89,597,900

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

  

$1,397,800
 

Supplies and equipment

  

$100,000
 

Total operating expense to be voted

  

$11,371,000

1604-4

Office of the Employer Adviser

    
 

Salaries and wages

  

$2,582,700
 

Employee benefits

  

$594,100
 

Transportation and communication

  

$154,300
 

Services

  

$355,900
 

Supplies and equipment

  

$89,800
 

Total operating expense to be voted

  

$3,776,800

1604-7

Prevention Office

    
 

Salaries and wages

  

$9,289,500
 

Employee benefits

  

$1,239,500
 

Transportation and communication

  

$317,300
 

Services

  

$3,944,600
 

Supplies and equipment

  

$147,600
 

Transfer payments

    
 

Health and Safety Associations

$80,374,200

  
 

Prevention Research

$6,814,800

  
 

Prevention Grants

$880,500

$88,069,500
 

Total operating expense to be voted

  

$103,008,000
 

Total operating expense for Occupational Health and Safety Program

  

$208,360,000
 

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

  

$67,400

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

  

$558,400
 

Capital assets

    

1604-5

Occupational Health and Safety

    
 

Machinery and equipment - asset costs

  

$2,657,000
 

Total capital assets to be voted

  

$2,657,000
 

Total capital assets for Occupational Health and Safety Program

  

$2,657,000

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
2019-20

Estimates
2018-19

Difference
between
2019-20
and
2018-19

Actual
2017-18
 

Operating expense

        

1

Employment Standards

$47,286,000

$52,150,700

($4,864,700)

$42,412,698
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$47,286,000

$52,150,700

($4,864,700)

$42,412,698
 

Total operating expense

$47,286,000

$52,150,700

($4,864,700)

$42,412,698
 

Capital expense

        

2

Employment Standards

$1,000

$1,875,700

($1,874,700)

-
 

Total capital expense to be voted

$1,000

$1,875,700

($1,874,700)

-

S

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

$540,700

$190,200

$350,500

-
 

Total statutory appropriations

$540,700

$190,200

$350,500

-
 

Total capital expense

$541,700

$2,065,900

($1,524,200)

-
 

Capital assets

        

3

Employment Standards

$3,836,200

$3,816,000

$20,200

$1,622,127
 

Total capital assets to be voted

$3,836,200

$3,816,000

$20,200

$1,622,127
 

Total capital assets

$3,836,200

$3,816,000

$20,200

$1,622,127

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

$33,221,700
 

Employee benefits

$5,053,900
 

Transportation and communication

$2,009,600
 

Services

$6,355,200
 

Supplies and equipment

$643,600
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Grants to promote improved employment practices

$2,000
 

Total operating expense to be voted

$47,286,000
 

Total operating expense for Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program

$47,286,000
 

Capital expense

  

1605-2

Employment Standards

  
 

Services

$1,000
 

Total capital expense to be voted

$1,000
 

Statutory appropriation

  
 

Other transactions

  

Statutory

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

$540,700
 

Total capital expense for Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program

$541,700
 

Capital assets

  

1605-3

Employment Standards

  
 

Business application software - asset costs

$3,836,200
 

Total capital assets to be voted

$3,836,200
 

Total capital assets for Employment Rights and Responsibilities Program

$3,836,200