The Government of Ontario is moving to extend workplace safety protections to thousands of health-care and support workers in privately run retirement and group homes.
Labour Minister David Piccini announced the change, which will bring mandatory coverage under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to an estimated 29,000 workers.
Currently, employees in privately operated facilities — including retirement homes, group homes, and foster homes — are not automatically covered under the province’s workplace insurance system.
The proposed update aims to ensure front-line workers such as nurses, personal support workers, and caregivers are protected if they are injured or become ill on the job.
The measure will be part of a broader package of labour reforms expected to be introduced by the province.