A primary objective of ACSESS is to actively represent the industry and our membership before governments by providing input on employment legislation and regulations at the national and provincial levels. At the same time, ACSESS assumes a leadership role in ensuring that industry members are aware of legislation and regulatory changes which may affect their businesses and responsibilities as employers.
Since our last report to members, ACSESS continued to make our industry's views known across a wide range of policy issues. We have represented members on several public policy fronts, including rate reform consultations, employment standards and federal procurement. Since our last report, our focus has been on new Registry and Licensing requirements, federal procurement and new obligations for staffing firms in the province of Quebec.
The “Safely Back to Work” Alliance initiated by Randstad, The Adecco Group and ManpowerGroup has successfully expanded its reach and network of participating partners and is now being led by ACSESS and other national industry associations and the World Employment Confederation (WEC). This initiative highlights the critical role of the staffing services industry in driving healthy, resilient labor markets and economic recovery for countries, organisations and individuals.
In Ontario, The “Safely Back to Work” Alliance initiated by Randstad, The Adecco Group and ManpowerGroup has successfully expanded its reach and network of participating partners and is now being led by ACSESS and other national industry associations and the World Employment Confederation (WEC). This initiative highlights the critical role of the staffing services industry in driving healthy, resilient labor markets and economic recovery for countries, organisations and individuals.
In Alberta, ACSESS corresponded with Minister Copping’s Chief of Staff to confirm our members ability to apply for the Critical Worker Benefit on behalf of their temporary workforce. The staffing services industry had not been recognized as an eligible employer in the original regulation.
ACSESS continues to sponsor the Excellence program for the Staffing Services industry in partnership with WSIB. We are also exploring similar prevention initiatives in other provinces.
In the National Capital Region, ACSESS continues to work closely with PWGSC Acquisitions on the development of a national procurement strategy (2020/21).
In Quebec, effective September 2021 there will be new requirements for the Attestation (Revenu Quebec) and the license issued by the Ministry of Labour (CNESST). Staffing firms in the province will now require appropriate clearance from Revenu Québec not only to obtain or renw a CNESST license but also to maintain the license. In order to alleviate the administrative burden on industry, staffing firms will no longer be required to provide a copy of the attestation to clients. While clients will still be required to ensure that the staffing firm has a license, they will not be required to verify attestation requirements.
ACSESS continues to assume a leadership role in ensuring that industry members are aware of legislative and regulatory changes which if implemented may affect their businesses.
Our national committee and sub committees continue to actively monitor legislative developments in all provinces on a wide range of industry specific policy issues.
For more information please contact Mary McIninch, Director of Government Relations at 905-826-6869 or email mmcininch@acsess.org
The above Report is also available for downloading and printing in PDF format.
