The Ontario government will implement new regulations for publicly advertised job vacancies in the upcoming year, although uncertainty surrounds the potential benefits for job seekers. Effective January 1, 2026, adjustments under the Employment Standards Act will impact employers with over 25 employees.
One significant change mandates that employers disclose compensation details for all job listings, with salary ranges limited to $50,000 annually. Additionally, employers must reveal if artificial intelligence is utilized in their hiring processes. Job postings are prohibited from requesting Canadian work experience, and applicants must be informed of hiring decisions within 45 days post final interview.
Kathryn Tremblay, the owner of Altis Recruitment, commends the Ontario government’s efforts to enhance transparency and fairness in hiring practices. However, she questions the potential effectiveness of these changes. A similar initiative in British Columbia, where wage details are mandatory in public job ads since 2023, has shown modest progress in reducing the gender pay gap. Tremblay anticipates comparable marginal improvements from Ontario’s new compensation disclosure rule.
Expressing concern over the broad $50,000 salary range allowance, Tremblay fears a reduction in the informational value of posted salaries. She also doubts whether disclosing the use of AI in recruitment will alleviate worries about potential bias in the process.
Amid rising unemployment rates in Ontario, Tremblay worries that the new regulations could pose challenges for employers. She believes the timing of these changes, amidst the current need to boost revenue and enhance skills with AI, may not be optimal.
For more details on the modifications, visit the official Ontario government website.