EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill enacts the Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission Act, 2022. The Act establishes the Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission, which shall develop recommendations on how to support the early years and child care workforce and address staffing shortages. The Commission shall include its recommendations in an annual report made available to the public and sent to the Minister of Education. The Minister shall meet with the Commission to discuss its annual reports.

Bill 49 2022

An Act respecting the establishment of an Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission

1 (1)  The Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission is established.

Composition

(2)  The Commission shall be composed of members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council from the following groups:

   1.  Members of the early years and child care workforce.

   2.  Members of provincial or regionally-based organizations and associations that represent the early years and child care workforce.

   3.  Designates from labour unions that represent the early years and child care workforce.

   4.  Early years and child care experts.

Same

(3)  In the appointment of persons to the Commission under subsection (2), the Lieutenant Governor in Council shall ensure, to the extent possible, that the Black community, Indigenous community and other racialized communities are represented.

Functions

(4)  The Commission shall develop recommendations on how to support the early years and child care workforce and address staffing shortages, including recommendations respecting,

  (a)  increased wages;

  (b)  a salary scale that sets out increased compensation based on skill and experience level;

  (c)  minimum work standards, including minimum benefits, paid sick leave and paid time for planning and professional development; and

  (d)  strategies to enable early years and child care workers to advance their qualifications.

Report

(5)  The Commission shall set out the recommendations referred to in subsection (4) in an annual report that is,

  (a)  published on a website of the Government of Ontario; and

  (b)  sent to the Minister of Education.

Consultation

(6)  The Minister of Education shall meet with the Commission annually to discuss each report by the Commission.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission Act, 2022.