Ontario has ushered in a new era of workplace transparency with a set of laws designed to empower job seekers and create a fairer hiring landscape. Effective as of January 2026, the legislation introduces three major changes that directly impact how companies recruit new employees.
Key Provisions of the New Legislation
The cornerstone of the new rules is a mandate for salary range disclosure in all public job postings. This move aims to address the longstanding pay gap and ensure candidates can make informed decisions before investing time in an application process.
Another significant change is the outright ban on requiring 'Canadian experience' for positions. This barrier has long been criticized for disadvantaging newcomers and internationally trained professionals, effectively locking them out of the job market despite their qualifications.
Finally, in a forward-looking measure, the law now requires employers to disclose if artificial intelligence is used to screen or assess applicants. This brings much-needed transparency to increasingly automated hiring processes, allowing candidates to understand how their resumes and profiles are being evaluated.
Implications for Employers and Job Seekers
For businesses across Ontario, this means a substantial shift in recruitment practices. HR departments must now ensure every public job listing includes a compensation band and clearly states any use of AI tools in the screening phase. The removal of the 'Canadian experience' filter also encourages employers to broaden their talent pools and assess skills and experience on a more global scale.
For workers and those seeking employment, these changes represent a powerful tool for negotiation and fairness. The salary transparency rule helps combat wage discrimination, while the AI disclosure requirement allows applicants to potentially tailor their submissions for algorithmic review. The ban on domestic experience requirements opens doors for thousands of skilled immigrants whose talents were previously overlooked.
A Step Toward Modern Employment Standards
This legislative package positions Ontario as a leader in modern, equitable employment policy within Canada. By tackling opaque salary practices, discriminatory hiring filters, and the 'black box' of AI recruitment, the province is addressing some of the most pressing concerns in today's labour market.
The laws, which came into effect at the start of 2026, reflect a growing demand for accountability and fairness in the workplace. They signal a clear move away from practices that have perpetuated inequality and toward a system that values transparency and merit. As these rules take full effect, both employers and job seekers will need to adapt to a new, more open standard in the hiring process.
