As we enter the opening days of 2026, here are some recent changes to employment and pensions law, as well as some upcoming developments, about which provincially-regulated and federally-regulated employers in Ontario should be aware.
Other jurisdictions were also active in implementing changes as of January 1, 2026, including Alberta (which increased the maximum duration of its statutory sick leave from 16 to 27 weeks), British Columbia (which increased the maximum penalties under its Workers Compensation Act), Nova Scotia (which announced two minimum wage increases across 2026), and Saskatchewan (which made a number of changes including with respect to group terminations, reprisals, scheduling agreements, rest periods, and leaves of absence), so employers should ensure that they are aware of recent and upcoming developments in all provinces where they employ personnel.
Ontario Provincially-Regulated Employers
More Recent Changes in the Law:
Information in Job Postings. New rules came into effect on January 1, 2026 for employers who publicly advertise job postings for positions in Ontario. The rules apply to employers that employ 25 or more employees on the day the posting is posted. The rules include:
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