Page Comparison

• Canadian legislation

• Ontario legislation

• Pay equity

• Remote work and rights

• Resources for international students and recent graduates

• Full and part-time University of Waterloo undergraduate students who are members of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) have access to the Student Legal Protection Program.

• Full and part-time University of Waterloo graduate students can access the Legal Protection Program.

The Canadian Human Rights Act ensures that all people in Canada are treated fairly and equally. It prohibits discrimination and unfair treatment based on race, gender, disability and other protected grounds in areas of employment and public service. This act applies to all people within Canada’s borders, regardless of citizenship status.

Employment Equity Act

The Employment Equity Act increases fairness and equality in certain industries and workplaces by addressing imbalances in employment opportunities and working conditions for women, First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, racialized groups and people with disabilities. This act encourages employers to take steps to make their workforce more representative and diverse.

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Canada Labour Code

The Canada Labour Code defines the rights and responsibilities of all workers and employers in federally regulated industries and workplaces, including occupational health and safety and employment standards. The Canada Labour Code provides an employee with three rights:

• The right to know – about known or foreseeable hazards in the workplace.

• The right to participate – in identifying and correcting job-related health and safety concerns.

• The right to refuse dangerous work – if you have cause to believe a condition, machine or activity is dangerous to you or other employees.

The Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC)

The OHRCensures that individuals and organizations in Ontario are treated fairly and equally. It promotes a just and inclusive society and prohibits harassment and discrimination based on race, gender, disability and other protected grounds in social areas such as employment and housing. The OHRC generally applies to situations within the province, but exceptions exist.

OHRC's frequently asked questions have more on these exceptions.

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The Employment Standards Act (ESA)

The Ontario ESA sets out the basic rights and protections for designated employees and organizations in the province of Ontario. It outlines rules that require employers to treat employees fairly and respectfully. In cases where a provision in an employment contract or another piece of legislation gives a worker a greater right or benefit than the minimum employment standard in the ESA, that provision applies to the worker instead of the minimal employment (ESA) standard. For example, a collective agreement negotiated by a worker’s union grants workers more vacation time than the ESA provides for.

The ESA covers most employees and employers in Ontario. However, the ESA doesn’t apply to some employees and the organizations they work for (e.g., the federal civil service).

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• Pregnancy and parental leave

• Family caregiver leave

• Termination of employment

• Vacation

• Equal pay for equal work

• Minimum wage

• Overtime pay

• more ESA topics and information…

Ontario ESA policies for employers with 25+ employees

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Co-op students: if you are employed in Ontario as a co-op student, you’re not covered by the ESA. Please refer to the co-op roles and responsibilities: payment, vacation days and overtime for more information. If you have questions about ESA policies, please contact your co-op advisor. 

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The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

The OHSA provides a legal framework to protect workers in Ontario from health and safety hazards on the job. The OHSA:

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The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

The AODA is designed to reduce and remove barriers for people with disabilities to access goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises. It requires public and private organizations to create and follow plans to improve accessibility in areas like customer service and communication under the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity.

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Ontario Employment Equity Act

According to the Ontario Employment Equity Act:

• All people are entitled to equal treatment in employment in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC).

• Indigenous people, people with disabilities, members of racialized groups and women are entitled to be considered for employment, hired, retained, treated and promoted in accordance with employment equity principles.

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• Government of Canada – Pay Equity Act

• Ontario Pay Equity Office – The Q&A guide to Ontario’s Pay Equity Act

• Canadian Human Rights Commission – What is pay equity?

Employees don’t have a general right to work remotely (from home). Your employer may have a remote work policy, or you may reach an agreement on a remote work plan with your employer. Sometimes, remote work may be arranged due to an employee’s workplace accommodation request. 

Generally, if you’ve requested to work remotely, you’re expected to provide your own equipment. If your employer is requiring you to work remotely, they’re expected to provide appropriate equipment to allow you to complete your job responsibilities. 

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If you’re a new or current Waterloo student, or you’re an alumnus and it’s been eight months or less after your last term, you have access to the Immigration Consulting services and resources through the Student Success Office (SSO). Immigration consultants can provide information about various immigration topics, including working in Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides information on a variety of topics related to studying and working in Canada as an international student. These include working on and off campus, working in Canada after graduation and helping your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada.

If you’re interested in working in Ontario permanently, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has more information.