Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) has undergone a series of important updates aimed at strengthening transparency, fairness, and staff protections. From new hiring disclosure rules to expanded job-protected leave and mandatory pay transparency, these changes, rolling out between June 2025 and January 2026, will impact how businesses hire, manage, and support their employees.
Effective June 19, 2025 – Long‑Term Illness Leave Introduced
A brand‑new, job-protected, unpaid leave allows eligible employees (13 weeks’ continuous employment) up to 27 weeks of leave within a 52-week window, for serious medical conditions. Specific requirements must be met to request this leave, and it may be extended under certain conditions. It is also not a requirement that the weeks of leave be consecutive.
Effective July 1, 2025 – Mandatory Written Hiring Details
Ontario employers with 25+ staff must now provide new employees, before (or as soon after) their first workday, written details that include:
- Employer’s legal and operating name(s)
- Complete contact information and at least one contact person
- General work location
- Starting wage rate or commission
- Pay period and payday
- Anticipated hours of work
Effective January 1, 2026 – Pay Transparency & Fair Hiring Rules
For publicly advertised roles, employers with 25+ staff are subject to new requirements:
- Compensation Disclosure: Required if salary is under $200,000; salary range may span up to $50,000.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transparency: Must disclose any use of AI in screening or selection.
- Vacancy Status : Employers must specify whether a posting is for an existing vacancy.
- Ban on “Canadian Experience” Requirement: Job postings can no longer mandate Canadian work experience.
- Interview Follow‑Up: Applicants must be notified within 45 days after the last interview about the hiring decision.
- Record Retention: Employers must keep job postings, applications, and candidate correspondence on file for three (3) years.
What Employers Should Do
- Update offer letters and handbooks to include mandatory written details for new hires
- Integrate long-term illness provisions; review current health/disability policies
- Revise job postings and applications to reflect new requirements
- Implement procedures for candidate follow-up and a 3-year record-keeping system
These ESA changes phased in from June 2025 through January 2026 reflect broader shifts under Ontario’s “Working for Workers” legislation. Employers are strongly encouraged to audit their HR, recruitment, and leave-management practices now to stay ahead of compliance.
We encourage you to connect with our team if you’d like to discuss best practices or policy updates!
DJB honoured with McGillivray Trusted Professional endorsement for the fourth year!
Renowned real estate expert Scott McGillivray—an award-winning Home Network celebrity, executive producer, and seasoned investor with hundreds of successful real estate ventures—knows firsthand the invaluable role that knowledgeable, connected, and dedicated Real Estate Professionals play in every buying and selling experience.
“Partner with the Professionals I trust!” recommends Scott McGillivray, real estate expert and star of TV shows Income Property, Buyers Bootcamp and Scott’s Vacation House Rules. “It’s important to partner with professionals that have the market knowledge and expertise guaranteed to make your real estate journey a smooth and successful one.”
Real Estate Professionals in the McGillivray Trusted Professional Program have been carefully selected based on their proven expertise, outstanding client satisfaction, and ability to consistently deliver results.
About DJB Chartered Professional Accountants
DJB was founded in 1940 and is one of the largest independent public accounting firms in the Halton region, with multiple offices serving businesses throughout Southern Ontario. DJB professionals have the expertise to provide financial and business advisory services related to any construction and real estate venture, whether in start-up phase, fully functional, or at divestiture.
About Scott McGillivray
Scott McGillivray is North America’s go-to expert when it comes to all things real estate and renovation. He’s a real estate investor, contractor, and star of hit Home Network TV shows such as Income Property, Buyers Bootcamp, and Scott’s Vacation House Rules. McGillivray emphasizes the importance of using a qualified Real Estate Professional by recognizing a select few of the best real estate minds in the country through his McGillivray Trusted Agent and Trusted Professional programs.
Watch videos:
Find out more at:
scottmcgillivray.com/trusted/trusted-professionals/
facebook.com/EverythingScottMcGillivray
Summertime is officially here!
All offices will be closed on Friday afternoons from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm starting on Friday, July 4, 2025, to Friday, August 29, 2025.
DJB is pleased to announce our relationship with Aprio, a highly respected Top 25 business advisory and accounting firm based in Atlanta.
We look forward to working with Aprio as a member in the firm’s new Professional Services+ practice, which provides professional services firms in accounting, consulting, law, and other professions access to a wide range of client-centric services, leading tools, and tailored solutions to accelerate growth.
In addition, PS+ members may participate in the PS+ Collaborative, a value-added member benefit that facilitates peer-to-peer engagement around the unique and evolving needs of professional services organizations, and their clients and employees through annual conferences, peer groups, workshops, roundtables, and other interactions.
DJB Partner, James Buckley, will moderate the following panel of specialists on the topic of key housing challenges and opportunities in the housing sector on May 22, 2025, at the Burlington Golf & Country Club.
Registration information and event details
We will be onsite and exhibiting at the 2025 Ontario Craft Wine Conference on Wednesday, April 23rd at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.
If you are planning to attend, please stop by for a chat with our team at Booth 406.
For detailed information on the show and sessions, visit conference website.
For the fourth consecutive year, DJB has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers. This award underscores the Firm’s commitment to creating an exceptional workplace and inspires continued efforts to foster a thriving and innovative environment.
“Being future-focused goes beyond a mindset—it’s a commitment to innovation and readiness for what’s to come,” said Darryl Teutenberg, Firm Managing Partner. “We prioritize investment in our team, fostering growth through professional development and embracing transformation. By welcoming and valuing fresh ideas from all team members, we ensure we are prepared for the future, with each person contributing meaningfully to our collective success.”
DJB was also selected as one of the Hamilton-Niagara Top Employers for 2025, a recognition based on criteria such as work environment, employee engagement, and family-friendly policies.
Learn more about why DJB earned this distinction on Canada’s Top 100 website.
When it comes to great people, we always have room for more. Learn more about us at www.djb.com/careers.
About DJB. DJB is one of the largest public accounting firms in the Niagara, Hamilton, and Halton regions. Established in 1940, the Firm provides accounting, assurance, and business advisory services to businesses across Southern Ontario. With multiple locations, DJB has built its reputation on a deep commitment to the communities in which it operates.
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS ISSUE:
- The Impact of U.S. Tariffs and Reciprocal Tariffs on Canadian Business Valuations and Sale Transactions
- Approaches to Value Marketing-Related and Technology-Based Intangibles
- Valuing Economic Loss – Uncertainty Due to Tariffs
- Quality of Earnings – Importance of Revenue
