As you may be aware, the Ontario Ministry of Labour is considering changes to labour and employment laws through the Changing Workplaces Review, a review of legislation being spearheaded by two appointed Special Advisors.

The Special Advisors outlined their suggested policy options in the Changing Workplaces Review Interim Report, released in July 2016. Labour and employment groups across the Province, including CFA, were invited to share their feedback. Through written submissions and in-person meetings with the Special Advisors and other key government officials, CFA has made it clear that some of the options put forward by the Special Advisors were highly concerning. Of specific concern to CFA and its members is the option to make franchisors 'joint-employers' of their franchisees employees, making them liable for labour and employment standards violations of their franchisees' and franchisee's employees.

CFA has been advised that the Special Advisors will deliver their Final Report to the Ontario Minister of Labour's office by the end of next week, and will be released to the public by late March. The Final Report is expected to consider all previous feedback from business and labour communities.

CFA will be meeting with the Minister of Labour, Kevin Flynn, on February 27 to discuss the anticipated Final Report.

Once the Final Report is released, CFA will review and advise members of its specifics and whether or not joint-employer status is still being considered. If it is, CFA will continue its diligent efforts to meet with policy makers to ensure they are aware of the devastating effects joint-employer will have on the franchise industry, the economy of Ontario, and the country as a whole.

To learn more about the Changing Workplaces Review, joint-employer status, or how you can help join this fight, please download the CFA Grassroots Advocacy Tool Kits - available for both franchisors and franchisees who wish to connect with their local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and share our collective concerns regarding joint-employer status.

You can also help support CFA's grassroots advocacy efforts by participating in CFA's Franchise Awareness Day at Queen's Park. On Tuesday March 28, meet with MPPs and help communicate the message that franchising plays a major role in the Canadian economy, employing more than one million Canadians from coast to coast.

For more information please contact Ryan Eickmeier, Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy at reickmeier@cfa.ca or 416-695-2896 ext. 297.