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Bill 70, Four-Day Work Week Act, 2021

Karpoche, Bhutila

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Status

Debates

Original

Bill 70 Original (PDF)

EXPLANATORY

NOTE

The

Bill enacts the Four-Day Work Week Act, 2021 . The

Act establishes the Four-Day Work Week Commission, which will develop

recommendations on how to implement a pilot project designed to determine the

effectiveness of a four-day work week in Ontario. No later than one year after

receiving the report setting out these recommendations, the Minister of Labour,

Training and Skills Development shall implement the pilot project, which will

last one year. After this time, the Minister is required to prepare a report in

consultation with the Commission that sets out recommendations regarding a

four-day work week for Ontario workers.

Bill 70 2021

Act respecting a four-day work week pilot

Preamble

The

COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased worker burnout, leading to poor

physical and mental health outcomes. The pandemic has also highlighted the need

for greater work-life balance, including more time for family and for rest.

Several

jurisdictions around the world have adopted a four-day work week, either in

pilot programs or permanently. Reports from these jurisdictions have shown

successful results, indicating that implementation of a four-day work week is

beneficial in myriad ways to both worker and employer. Some of the benefits

include greater gender equity and job productivity, lower energy consumption,

increased workplace morale and improved mental and physical health for workers

due to increased time for exercise and self-care.

four-day work week pilot project in Ontario will allow the Government of

Ontario to better understand the many benefits, as well as any possible

drawbacks, of broadly implementing a four-day work week in our province.

Therefore

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of

the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Definitions

this Act,

“Four-Day

Work Week Pilot Project” means the pilot project referred to in subsection 2

(5); (“projet pilote visant à tester la semaine de travail de quatre jours”)

“Minister”

means the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. (“ministre”)

Four-Day

Work Week Commission

(1) The

Four-Day Work Week Commission is established.

Composition

(2) The

Commission shall be composed of members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in

Council from a cross-sectoral representation of Ontario workers.

Remuneration

and expenses

(3) The

Lieutenant Governor in Council may determine the remuneration and expenses of

any person appointed under subsection (2).

Appropriation

required

(4) Subsection

(3) does not apply unless money has been appropriated by the Legislature for the

purpose of that subsection.

Functions

(5) The

Commission shall develop recommendations on how to implement a pilot project that

meets the following requirements:

1. The

pilot project shall involve a four-day work week for a segment of Ontario

workers.

2. The

pilot project shall be designed to determine the effectiveness of a four-day

work week in Ontario for public sector and private sector employees.

Report

(6) The

Commission shall set out the recommendations referred to in subsection (5) in a

report that is sent to the Minister.

Four-Day

Work Week Pilot Project

(1) No

later than one year after receiving the report referred to in subsection 2 (6),

the Minister shall implement the Four-Day Work Week Pilot Project.

Duration

(2) The

Four-Day Work Week Pilot Project shall last for one year.

Minister’s

report

(3) Following

the completion of the Four-Day Work Week Pilot Project, the Minister shall

prepare a report in consultation with the Four-Day Work Week Commission that

sets out recommendations regarding a four-day work week in Ontario.

Publication

(4) The

report referred to in subsection (3) shall be published on a website of the

Government of Ontario.

Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short

title

The

short title of this Act is the Four-Day Work Week Act,

2021 .

Date Bill stage Event Outcome Committee

December 6, 2021

First Reading

Vote

Carried

Debates and Progress

First Reading

December 6, 2021

Committee

Second Reading

Committee

Third Reading

Royal Assent

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