Your Complete Guide to Health and Safety in the Workplace

January 2026

Keep you and your employees safe by participating in our Health & Safety Excellence program in 2026.

Please check our website for our 2025 course dates!

Alzheimer Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month takes place every January and is led by the Alzheimer Society to raise awareness about dementia and its impact on Canadians. While awareness efforts are highlighted during the month of January, the realities of living with dementia extend far beyond it. The ongoing goal is to build understanding, reduce stigma, and advocate for improved care, resources, and policy change.

First Link® is an Alzheimer Society program designed to connect individuals diagnosed with dementia—and their families—to vital support, education, and community resources. From the moment of diagnosis onward, First Link® helps people navigate the dementia journey with access to counselling, risk-reduction information, and local services tailored to their needs.

With more than half a million Canadians currently living with dementia (a number expected to nearly double within the next decade), programs like First Link® play a critical role in providing support at every stage of the disease.

Ways You Can Help:

• Share Awareness: Help spread the word about Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and First

Link®.

• Engage Locally: Support your local Alzheimer Society programs and services.

• Advocate for Change: Encourage policies that improve care and quality of life for those

affected by dementia.

Let’s commit to supporting people living with dementia—not just in January, but every day of the

year.

Learn more at: https://alzheimer.ca/

What’s New in Ontario: Key Laws Taking Effect in 2026

As we begin 2026, several new Ontario laws and regulatory changes are taking effect that may impact employers, workers, and contractors across the province. Staying informed is key to maintaining compliance and protecting your workplace.

Key changes to be aware of include:

• Job Posting & Pay Transparency Requirements (Employment Standards Act): Effective January 1, 2026, many employers will be required to include salary ranges in publicly advertised job postings and remove unnecessary hiring barriers, such as unjustified “Canadian experience” requirements.

Learn more: https://www.ontario.ca/page/working-workers-act-pay-transparency

• Construction Act Amendments: Updates to Ontario’s Construction Act will impact payment timelines, lien processes, and adjudication rules, affecting contractors, developers, and construction employers.

Learn more: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90c30

• Interprovincial Labour Mobility (“As of Right” Framework): New mobility rules will make it easier for qualified workers from other provinces to work

in Ontario, helping address labour shortages while maintaining safety and competency

standards.

Learn more: https://www.ontario.ca/page/labour-mobility-canada

These changes may require updates to your hiring practices, contracts, policies, and training programs.

Canada’s Safety Champions of 2025

The 2025 Canada’s Safest Employers Awards celebrated organizations, leaders, and innovators who are setting the standard for workplace safety across Canada. Held in Toronto, the awards recognized excellence across more than 20 categories, highlighting achievements in safety leadership, innovation, culture, and employee well-being.

Notable 2025 award recipients included:

• Frank Voss, CEO of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., named CEO of the Year for demonstrating executive leadership and accountability in building a strong, people-first safety culture.

• Larry Jones of Ledcor Industries Inc., recipient of Safety Leader of the Year, recognized for advancing safety performance through leadership, engagement, and innovation.

• Adam Calderhead of VETS Sheet Metal Ltd., honoured with the Minerva Award (Rising Star of the Year) for his emerging leadership and commitment to advancing workplace safety practices.

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., awarded Best Health & Safety Culture, recognized for embedding safety into every level of operations and prioritizing employee well-being.

Additional awards recognized organizations excelling across key sectors, including:

• Greenfield Global – Canada’s Safest Chemistry Employer

• Hammerstone Infrastructure Materials Ltd. – Canada’s Safest Mining & Natural Resources Employer

• Jazz Aviation – Canada’s Safest Public Transportation Employer

• DIRTT Environmental Solutions – Canada’s Safest Manufacturing Employer (Industrial)

• Honeywell – Canada’s Safest Employer in the Services Sector

The 2025 awards reflect a continued national commitment to raising safety standards, embracing innovation, and fostering workplace cultures where safety is not just a priority, but a core value.

Learn more: https://safestemployers.com/winners-and-excellence-awardees/2025-winners-and-excellence-awardees/

Tradeswomen Launch Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Training for Construction

Ontario’s construction industry continues to face skilled-labour shortages, and new research shows that harassment and discrimination remain major barriers to retaining women in the trades.

In response, Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT) has launched a new Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment (ADAH) training program, designed specifically for construction workplaces. The organization is encouraging employers, unions, training centres, and government partners to adopt the program as a prerequisite before workers step

onto job sites.

OBCT research found that 52% of tradeswomen surveyed experienced harassment or discrimination, and nearly half were dissatisfied with how their concerns were addressed. While Ontario employers are required to have workplace harassment policies, training itself is not mandatory—a gap OBCT believes has serious health and safety implications.

Unlike generic workplace programs, the ADAH training is built around real construction-site scenarios, addressing how harassment and discrimination affect mental health, attendance, performance, and long-term retention. The program frames respectful workplaces as a core

safety issue, comparable to other required training such as Working at Heights.

The training is currently offered in two formats:

• A 90-minute live virtual session with an instructor, interactive scenarios, and Q&A suitable for apprentices, journeyworkers, and supervisors

• A train-the-trainer model, allowing unions and employers to deliver the program internally

OBCT is also developing a self-directed virtual option to increase accessibility across the province.

Ontario Introduces Administrative Penalties for Health & Safety Violations

Ontario has introduced a new administrative monetary penalty regime under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), giving inspectors expanded enforcement tools during workplace inspections. The changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025, as part of the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (Bill 30).

Under the new provisions, inspectors will be able to issue administrative penalties for certain health and safety violations, creating a new enforcement option that sits between traditional compliance orders and formal charges. If an employer is required to pay an administrative penalty, they cannot be charged under OHSA for the same contravention, making this an alternative to prosecution in applicable cases. Details on the size of Administrative penalties, when they will be applied and how will all be detailed in upcoming Regulations under the OHSA, expected to be released sometime in 2026.

Legal experts describe this as a new “middle bucket” of enforcement. While inspectors still retain the power to issue orders during routine inspections and investigations and they will continue to be able to prosecute using the court system when they lay charges in serious cases, administrative penalties are expected to be used during routine inspections, where non-compliance may previously have been noted and resulted in orders that have not been complied with or repeat non compliance issues – leading to these new, yet to be defined financial consequence.

Details such as penalty amounts, eligible contraventions, and appeal processes will be set

out in regulation. Appeals are expected to follow a process similar to existing OHSA orders,

likely involving the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).

These enforcement changes extend beyond OHSA. Bill 30 also introduces administrative penalties under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), targeting issues such as false or misleading WSIB claims, inaccurate wage records, and unpaid premiums. In some cases, employers may now face both administrative penalties and increased fines, with maximum fines reaching up to $750,000 per conviction for repeat offences.

What This Means for Employers

With inspectors soon to be able to issue monetary penalties during inspections—not just after serious incidents—employers are encouraged to strengthen day-to-day compliance, hazard controls, record-keeping, and training programs.

Proactive prevention, regular audits, and up-to-date safety practices will be critical as Ontario moves toward stronger enforcement aimed at protecting workers and improving workplace safety culture.

Guide on Free Trade and Labour Mobility Act Coming Soon

With the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act set to take effect on January 1, 2026, the federal government has announced it will release a user guide in December 2025 to help businesses and industries understand how the new legislation will work in practice.

The Act is designed to reduce internal trade barriers and make it easier for goods, services, and workers to move across Canada, supporting economic growth and addressing labour shortages. Ottawa is working with provinces and territories through the Committee on Internal Trade to advance mutual recognition of qualifications and reduce administrative hurdles for workers seeking authorization across jurisdictions.

Once in force, the legislation will allow workers who are authorized or licensed in a province or territory to obtain corresponding authorization within federal jurisdictions, provided certain conditions are met. These may include proof of good standing, payment of applicable fees, or

additional exams or assessments to ensure public safety.

The Act applies to select federally regulated occupations, including land surveyors, locomotive engineers, train conductors, and yard foremen. It does not apply to provincially regulated professions such as doctors, nurses, construction workers, veterinarians, or immigration consultants.

The federal government notes that consultations are ongoing as regulations are finalized, while provinces such as Ontario have introduced complementary legislation aimed at improving labour mobility and streamlining approvals.

Employers operating across jurisdictions may wish to review the upcoming guide closely to understand how these changes could affect hiring, licensing, and workforce planning in 2026.

Make Compliance Easy with Wilkens Health & Safety Solutions

Staying compliant doesn’t have to be complicated. At Wilkens Health & Safety Solutions, we make it easy to meet your legal obligations while strengthening your team’s skills, confidence, and safety culture.

We offer a wide range of provincially accredited training courses designed to support workplaces across Ontario—from essential safety fundamentals to industry-specific programs.

Our training options include:

• Provincially approved courses that are informative, engaging, and practical

• Custom private training sessions tailored to your team’s unique needs

• Flexible e-learning options that allow your team to learn at their own pace

Whether you join one of our public group courses, book a private session for your organization, or take advantage of our growing e-learning library, our experienced team is here to help you implement best practices that are effective, up-to-date, and easy to apply.

Ready to get started?

Let’s make compliance a breeze. Visit www.whss.ca/shop to explore our upcoming courses for 2026 and find the right fit for your team.

Plan Ahead for 2026 With the Health & Safety Excellence program

As an approved provider of the Health & Safety Excellence program in Eastern Ontario, Wilkens works directly with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to help businesses strengthen their health and safety systems while accessing valuable WSIB benefits.

What sets us apart is our personalized approach. We guide you through the system step by step, beginning with a one-to-one meeting, either in person or virtually, to review your current health and safety program, select the right topics, and determine what will genuinely benefit your organization.

Yes, participating organizations, that pay less than $50,000 per year in Workplace Safety and Insurance Board premiums, can earn $2,000 per completed topic (up to five topics at a time), but for us, it’s about more than rebates. It’s about building workplaces where employees start and end their day both physically and psychologically well.

With the year wrapping up and 2026 fast approaching, now is the ideal time to plan ahead. By partnering with Wilkens Health & Safety Solutions, you can create a safe, compliant workplace that truly works for your business.

Interested in exploring how the program can support your organization?

Call us at 613-546-9814 or visit whss.ca to learn more!

We’re here to help you get started.

RELEVANT UPDATES

Ontario nurses issue 'Code Black & Blue' amid rising violence

December 3, 2025 – Shane Mercer: A new Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) campaign is putting a stark spotlight on workplace violence in health care, as union leaders push for

mandatory staffing ratios and warn the issue is driving nurses out of the system.