Protection for wage thefts in trucking industry coming to help drivers in Brampton and across Ontario

The province says it’s introducing new measures to better protect truckers and workers in the logistics industry from wage theft.

Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini teased the new safeguards for Ontario workers at a press conference in Caledon on Tuesday announcing the province is planning to start construction of the controversial Highway 413 project next year.

Workers have been raising the alarm about withheld wages in the industry, with Labour Community Services of Peel saying it has received over 150 complaints in recent years. The federal government also launched an investigation into Brampton-based company Sondh Freight Systems last year after dozens of drivers said they were collectively owed more than $300,000.

While Piccini stopped short of detailing exactly how the changes would better protect wages in the trucking and logistics industry, the minister said the reforms will be “the toughest measures under the Employment Standards Act regarding wages.”

He said the new measure will send “a clear message to any employer that would undercut wages to the workers, that you’re not welcome to Ontario.”

“And we recognize that an Ontario that doesn’t work for workers doesn’t work at all,” Piccini said at the press conference.

Labour advocacy group Justice4Workers says that while trucking only makes up some 17 per cent of federally regulated workers, 85 per cent of claims for unpaid wages are made by truckers, many of whom are racialized immigrants.

The group is calling for provincial and Canada-wide reforms in the logistics industry including protection from unjust dismissal, better enforcement by the Ministry of Labour, and tougher consequences for employers acting in bad faith.

Piccini said he plans to introduce the new reforms in the Ontario legislature next week.