{"id":10112,"date":"2025-06-26T16:56:47","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T16:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/temp.carters.ca\/?p=10112"},"modified":"2026-01-22T19:47:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T19:47:16","slug":"employment-update-27","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/temp.carters.ca\/?p=10112","title":{"rendered":"Employment Update"},"content":{"rendered":"
Digital platform workers in Ontario will soon benefit from a new, stand-alone statute that establishes minimum rights tailored to the gig economy. The Digital Platform Workers\u2019 Rights Act, 2022<\/em><\/a> (\u201cDPWRA\u201d or the \u201cAct\u201d), enacted by the Working for Workers Act, 2022<\/em>, was proclaimed on September 5, 2024 and is set to come into force on July 1, 2025. We previously discussed the Act in the \u201cLegislation Update\u201d of our September 2024 Charity & NFP Law Update<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n DPWRA applies to individuals who perform \u201cdigital platform work\u201d, such as ride-share, courier, and delivery services accessed through apps or websites. Although charities and not-for-profits may not directly engage such workers, they use digital platforms to support operations, including delivering outreach materials, coordinating supplies, or arranging event logistics. Charities and not-for-profits may wish to review service relationships in light of new regulatory obligations and pricing structures introduced under DPWRA.<\/p>\n Notably, under Section 15 of DPWRA, the provisions concerning the liability of directors for amounts owing to workers generally do not apply with respect to directors of corporations to which the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010<\/em> or the Co-operative Corporations Act<\/em> applies. This non-application also extends to directors of foreign-incorporated corporations with similar not-for-profit objects that are carried on without the purpose of gain. This non-application is specific to the \u201cdirectors’ liability for amounts owing\u201d section of the Act.<\/p>\n Currently, many digital platform workers are treated as independent contractors, and as a result, do not benefit from protections under Ontario\u2019s Employment Standards Act, 2000<\/em>, which generally applies only to employees. DPWRA responds to this gap by establishing a separate set of rights that apply regardless of working relationship classification.<\/p>\n Once in force, the DPWRA will entitle covered workers to:<\/p>\n The Act will be administered by the Ministry of Labour and supported by Ontario Regulation 344\/24.<\/p>\n Charities and not-for-profits that contract with digital platforms should consider reviewing procurement practices for compliance with the Act.<\/p>\n The Ontario government is preparing another round of workplace reforms aimed at expanding protections for employees, enhancing transparency in hiring practices, and modernizing enforcement across employment and health and safety laws. The proposed legislation, titled the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025<\/em><\/a> (\u201cBill 30\u201d), introduces new measures and continues the government\u2019s now-annual effort to reshape Ontario\u2019s employment landscape.<\/p>\n\n
More Expansion of Worker Protections: Introduction of Working for Workers Seven Act<\/em>, 2025<\/h2>\n