TORONTO — Ontario is set to require larger construction projects to provide menstrual products on site.
Labour Minister David Piccini says the province is facing a shortage of skilled trades workers, and this regulatory change will help encourage more women to look to the trades for a career.
The change accompanies a new piece of legislation introduced Monday by Piccini, including a host of changes to labour laws.
The legislation would see fines increased for violations of the Employment Standards Act, and would do away with sick note requirements for short absences in an effort to decrease workloads for overworked family doctors.
As well, it would give wildland firefighters the same cancer, heart and post-traumatic stress coverage as municipal firefighters, and create a new high school apprenticeship pathway.
It would also add virtual harassment to the definitions of workplace harassment in labour laws, so that online harassment is clearly included.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2024.
The Canadian Press
