Provincial committee preparing for changing work landscape

Ontarians will be working differently in the post-pandemic future, so Ontario's minister of labour, training and skills development has tapped some experts to offer recommendations on how to best adapt to those changes.

MPP Monte Mcnaughton decided to create the pool of experts — dubbed the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee — to provide advice on shaping the future of work in the province.

“The pandemic has accelerated those changes — where we work, how we work and the meaning we find in what we do. (We) all need to adapt to changes in our society and technology,” said Mcnaughton, who serves as MPP for Lambton-kent-middlesex.

Committee members will be leading a series of consultations with the aim of preparing a report that addresses the challenges and opportunities to the work landscape caused or accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee experts will be taking close looks at changes in technology, the growth of “work-from-anywhere” employment and the significance of skills development in the global labour market.

“We want everyone to take part in the new opportunities that are being created and we need to make sure we have policies in place to allow these workers to take home bigger pay cheques and also to attract investment here,” Mcnaughton said.

The committee and its recommendations for a post-pandemic workforce, he said, will help Ontario to “retain top talent and to attract new businesses.”

Mcnaughton said there are three main areas of focus, but a priority will be supporting Ontario's economic recovery through training programs.

“This will include finding ways to help workers quickly upskill in high-growth and emerging industries so they can ultimately take home bigger cheques,” he said.

Another focus is reflecting changes in technology in a world where workers are increasingly working globally and remotely through new provincial policies. Mcnaughton said ways must be found to protect Ontarians who are working via online platforms such as Uber, Skipthedishes and Task Rabbitt.

“We've seen, obviously, over the past year how vital these workers are,” he said.

The public is invited to participate by sharing comments, ideas and suggestions with the committee through email at Owrac@ontario.ca until July 12.

Mcnaughton said committee members are expected to have recommendations ready by the end of the summer.