Employment Law Updates

Key employment law changes in BC for 2025: 

June 1, 2025: Minimum Wage

• BC's general minimum wage is now $17.85/hour (this is adjusted annually based on inflation)

June 19 2025: Serious Illness Leave

• Employees with over 13 weeks of service can take up to 27 weeks of unpaid job protected leave in a 52-week period for serious medical conditions.
• Employees need to provide a medical certificate

November 12, 2025: Ban on Sick Notes

• Employers cannot demand a doctor's note for short absences

Key employment law changes in Ontario for 2025: 

July 1, 2025: Digital Platform Workers' Rights Act 

• Protections for gig workers (eg. ride-share, delivery, couriers)  including rights to minimum standards under the Employment Standards Act
• Right to notice before removal from the platform
• Employers must provide key employment details in writing

July 1, 2025: Clean Washroom Rules

• Under new OHS rules, employers must maintain and keep records showing washrooms are kept clean and sanitary

October 1, 2025: Minimum Wage

• Ontario's general minimum wage is now $17.60/hour, which is adjusted annually based on inflation
• Different rates for roles like homeworkers and students

November 27, 2025: Job Seeking Leave

• Employees affected by mass termination (50+ jobs cut) receive up to 3 unpaid days of job-seeking leave with documentation
• Leave covers job search, interviews and training

January 1, 2026: Job Posting/Pay Transparency in Ontario

November 1, 2026: BC employers must provide pay transparency reports if they meet reporting thresholds