Ontario has introduced its Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025, which the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) says signals it is increasingly serious about clamping down on employee misclassification.

The seventh rendition of the act comes with 18 new proposed measures to protect Ontario workers and the economy.

“Our government is protecting Ontario workers by standing up for them when they need it the most,” said David Piccini, minister of labor, immigration, training and skills development. “We’re proposing changes that will prepare workers and businesses for the jobs of the future, while helping workers facing impacts from U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty. This package underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our province’s most valuable resource – our workers.”

The new package looks to enhance protections against job scams and expand entitlements for workers to provide better support in the event of layoffs, the province announced this week.

The OTA noted new measures authorize the Workplace Safety and Insurance Bureau (WSIB) to penalize employers who provide false and misleading statements in connection with claims, fail to keep and produce accurate payroll records or evade WSIB premiums. The association says this will enable WSIB to crack down on the misclassification of drivers.

“The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) applauds Minister Piccini for introducing these critical measures to enhance protections for workers across the province,” said Stephen Laskowski, president and CEO of the OTA. “Strengthening compliance with the WSIB is a significant step toward ensuring all employers meet their responsibilities and workers receive the support they deserve. These actions help level the playing field for law-abiding businesses and reinforce Ontario’s commitment to fair and safe workplaces.”