CAC has consistently heard from caregivers across Ontario that access to unionization and to all of the same employment standards as other workers in the province are necessary steps towards being able to live and work in dignity. Caregivers see these as two key steps toward the recognition of caregiving and other Domestic work as real work.
CAC broadly recommends that the Ministry strike both the ESA and LRA exemptions for Domestic Workers. CAC further recommends that the Ministry work closely with workers and advocates to develop a model of broader based bargaining for Domestic Workers. We urge Ontario to eliminate these exemptions and to take the necessary steps to ensure that caregiving work is free of exploitation and abuse, including by implementing the kinds of “broader based bargaining” strategies that would make collective action and worker power a reality for caregivers.
