March 2022 – ACSESS NEWS

Since our last report to members, ACSESS continued to make our industry’s views known
across a wide range of policy issues. We have represented members on several public policy
fronts, including rate reform consultations, employment standards and federal procurement.
Since our last report, our focus has been on new Registry and Licensing requirements, federal
procurement and new obligations for staffing firms in the province of Quebec.

On December 2, 2021, the Ontario government passed Bill 27 (Working for Workers
Act) introducing significant changes to workplace laws. The most significant industry specific
include the adoption of new licensing requirements for staffing firms to take effect in 2023. Over
the course of the next few months, ACSESS will be working closely with Ministry staff on the
regulations. The regulations will include new penalties on firms that violate basic safety and
employment standards, posting of a surety bond and new vetting requirements prior to the
issuance of a license.

As part of its mandate, ACSESS has long supported and advocated for initiatives to ensure that
all temporary help agencies (THAs) comply with their legal obligations. This creates a level
playing field for ACSESS member agencies and results in a fairer industry for THAs, their clients
and assignment employees alike.

Consistent with this longstanding position, ACSESS supports the creation of a licensing regime
for THAs, provided that the government is committed to investing the resources needed to
ensure that any such regime is meaningful and effective in achieving its goals, which must
include holding accountable unethical and illegal THAs that tarnish the reputation of the
entire industry.

ACSESS continues to sponsor the Excellence program for the Staffing Services industry in
partnership with WSIB. We are also exploring similar prevention initiatives in other provinces.
In the National Capital Region, ACSESS continues to work closely with PWGSC Acquisitions on
the development of a national procurement strategy (2021/22).

In Quebec, the government adopted new requirements for the Attestation (Revenu Quebec) and
the license issued by the Ministry of Labour (CNESST). Staffing firms in the province will now
require appropriate clearance from Revenu Québec not only to obtain or renew a CNESST
license but also to maintain the license. In order to alleviate the administrative burden on
industry, staffing firms will no longer be required to provide a copy of the attestation to clients.
While clients will still be required to ensure that the staffing firm has a license, they will not be
required to verify attestation requirements.

A primary objective of ACSESS is to actively represent the industry and our membership before
governments by providing input on employment legislation and regulations at the national and provincial
levels. At the same time, ACSESS assumes a leadership role in ensuring that industry members are aware
of legislation and regulatory changes which may affect their businesses and responsibilities as employers.

Government Relations Report – March 2022
ACSESS continues to assume a leadership role in ensuring that industry members are aware of
legislative and regulatory changes which if implemented may affect their businesses.
Our national committee and sub committees continue to actively monitor legislative
developments in all provinces on a wide range of industry specific policy issues