The ACSESS Spring calendar included several key events, including our Annual General Meeting, the National Conference in Calgary, AB and Staffing for Canada Week 2023. I am pleased to introduce the ACSESS 2022-23 National Board of Directors. Earlier this month, our association members celebrated June 4-10 Staffing for Canada Week to recognize the industry’s more than 500,000 employees and the two million job seekers they place each year. Our offices issued press releases in recognition of this important week. We also announced the winners of our Exceptional Experiences essay contest.
ACSESS 2023 conference was a huge success, convening 300+ staffing and recruiting leaders in Calgary, AB, for the industry’s most comprehensive learning and networking event. Plus, a sold-out expo hall allowed attendees to learn more about the leading products and solutions for staffing companies. Being the only national event dedicated to the Canadian staffing services industry, the ACSESS conference offers unparalleled opportunities to meet and network with senior executives and professional recruiters across North America. The ACSESS conference program is dynamic and brings the best expertise together to offer an excellent learning experience for all attendees – please save the date and join us May 8-10th 2024 in Toronto!
We are excited to deliver our Summer/Fall regional sessions in all provinces with a wide range of topics including Industry Licensing in Ontario (hyperlink to event), new Privacy Legislation in Quebec (hyperlink to Rhéaume), Networking Event in Alberta (hyperlink) and new Pay Transparency requirements in British Columbia. Stay tuned for more details as we work to represent our members interests and offer educational opportunities on a national scale.
Because of the unique attributes of staffing and recruitment in Canada, a major focus of the association’s advocacy is to proactively ensure that labour and employment laws do not impede staffing agency operations or unnecessarily increase costs, which could reduce labor market flexibility. In its most recent 2022/23 economic report, Staffing Industry Analysts recognizes Canada as the market with the least regulations and legislative restrictions in the world.
ACSESS continues to assume a leadership role in ensuring that industry members are aware of legislative and regulatory changes on a national scale 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.
Service Alberta is in the process of developing a compliance standards document to assist staffing and recruitment firms and ensure compliance under the Consumer Protection Act and the Employment Agency Business Licensing Regulation. As a key partner, ACSESS worked closely with Service Alberta in reviewing key materials. The standards and interpretations will address the most frequently asked questions and the most significant issues from an enforcement and compliance perspective.
The Portable Benefits Advisory Panel was established in Ontario to report on the viability, design and implementation of a program that could provide portable benefits to millions of workers who change jobs often and may not have access to employer-provided benefits. The Panel will issue a report with their recommendations next year. The Panel identified ACSESS as an important stakeholder during this process and the have requested our perspective and input as they develop their report (to be released in September, 2023).
Over the course of the next few months, ACSESS will be working closely with the Ontario Ministry of Labour (MLTSD) staff on a communications plan as a follow up from the finalization of a new licensing framework. The regulations will include new penalties on firms that violate basic safety and employment standards, posting of a surety bond and new vetting requirements prior to the issuance of a license. As part of its mandate, ACSESS has long supported and advocated for initiatives to ensure that all temporary help agencies (THAs) comply with their legal obligations. This creates a level playing field for ACSESS member agencies and results in a fairer industry for THAs, their clients and assignment employees alike.
We will also continue our outreach to all provincial premiers to promote the value of the staffing services and recruitment industries in Canada and our members’ contributions to the economy.
Wishing you all a safe and happy summer, and thank you for your support.
Mary McIninch
Executive Director, Government Relations/Directrice Générale
