Temporary Work Agencies Will Soon Require Operating Licenses

There are approximately 2,300 temporary placement agencies employing over 110,000 workers across Ontario.

Inspections by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has uncovered multiple agencies abusing their workers by paying them less than the minimum wage and denying other basic employment rights. This also disrupts the labour market for legitimate agencies and workers by undercutting the value of labour.

Our government is taking action to protect temporary workers and ensure a fair playing field for hiring practices, by requiring all temporary help agencies to obtain a license by January 1, 2024, that will need to be renewed each year.

Offenders and companies that knowingly source labour through unlicensed agencies will face fines of up to $50,000, as well as repayment of illegal fees and wage differences.