The Ontario government has delayed the coming into force of the Pay Transparency Act (the Act) from January 1, 2019 to “a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor”. The change comes as part of Bill 57, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018, which received royal assent on December 6, 2018.
The outgoing Ontario Liberal government had introduced the Act as Bill 3, which received royal assent on May 7, 2018 and was expected to come into force on January 1, 2019.
Among other things, the Act would require employers to publish expected salary figures as part of job postings, to create pay transparency reports, and would also prohibit employers from asking about a job applicant’s past salary history as part of the application or interview process.
Ontario’s Labour Minister has confirmed that the government is committed to the principle of pay transparency, but has said that additional time is needed to ensure that the Act is compatible with business realities.
We will be sure to provide further updates, as they are made available to the public.
