As Ontario enters 2026, a number of new laws and regulations will be coming into effect. Many of these changes were driven largely by the Working for Workers acts and recent road safety initiatives, and Ontario residents will see some of the most substantial shifts in employment and safety standards in a generation.
Here are some of the key new Ontario laws and regulations starting in 2026:
Effective: January 1, 2026
1. Mandatory Salary Ranges in Job Postings
Job seekers will no longer have to guess the pay when applying for new positions. Employers with 25 or more employees must include a specific salary or a compensation range in all public job advertisements. If a range is used, the spread between the lowest and highest pay cannot exceed $50,000 (e.g., $60,000–$110,000). However, there is an exception for high earners: Roles with expected compensation over $200,000 will be exempt from this requirement.
2. AI Disclosure in Hiring
If a company uses Artificial Intelligence to screen resumes, assess skills, or select candidates, they must explicitly state this in the job posting. This is intended to provide transparency regarding how automated algorithms impact a candidate’s chances.
3. Ban on Canadian Experience Requirements
To level the playing field for international professionals, employers are prohibited from including “Canadian work experience” as a requirement in job postings or application forms. This opens doors for qualified newcomers to enter their fields based on global expertise.
4. End of Candidate Ghosting
Employers (with 25+ staff) are now legally required to notify any applicant who has participated in an interview of the hiring decision. Notification must be provided within 45 days of the final interview, whether the answer is yes or no.
5. Lifetime Bans for Impaired Driving
The province is implementing some of the toughest driving penalties in North America for those convicted of impaired driving. A mandatory lifetime driver’s licence suspension will be applied to anyone convicted of impaired driving causing death. As well, first-time “warn range” suspensions (BAC 0.05 to 0.079) increase from 3 days to 7 days. Second-time occurrences increase from 7 days to 14 days.
6. “As of Right” Professional Mobility
Qualified professionals (such as doctors, nurses, and engineers) certified in other Canadian provinces can now begin working in Ontario within 10 business days of applying for registration. They are granted a six-month deemed certified status while their full Ontario credentials are finalized.
7. Expanded Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rules
The Ontario Fire Code now requires CO alarms on every storey of a home, including those without bedrooms. This applies to all residential settings, including houses, condos, and apartments, especially those near fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.
Effective: January 5, 2026
8. Return to Office for Public Service
As of the first Monday of 2026, the Ontario Public Service (OPS) and related agencies are required to return to five days per week of in-office work. This marks the formal end of hybrid work models for provincial government employees.
Effective: July 1, 2026
9. Optional Auto Insurance Benefits
A major shift in auto insurance takes place mid-year. While medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits remain mandatory, all other accident benefits (such as caregiver or housekeeping benefits) will become optional.