News Release
Communiqué
06-120
For Immediate Release
November 14, 2006
MANDATORY RETIREMENT ENDS DEC. 12, 2006
Ontarians Will Be Able To Choose When To Retire
TORONTO--Ontarians will soon have the freedom to choose when to retire, as the end of mandatory retirement in Ontario for most Ontario employees is less than a month away, Labour Minister Steve Peters said today.
“This government cares about seniors and their families,” said Peters. “Ending mandatory retirement is the right thing to do. Workers should be allowed to choose when to retire based on their circumstances and priorities.”
With the effective date less than a month away, employers and workers should ensure they are familiar with the requirements of the act and its possible effect on workplace policies and practices. Ontarians can go to www.ontario.ca/mandatoryretirement for more information on the provisions of the act and how they apply.
The Ending Mandatory Retirement Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005 was enacted by the legislative assembly in December 2005. The government provided a one-year transition period to ensure everyone is ready for the new law to take effect on Dec. 12, 2006.
When the legislation takes effect, it will amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to protect people aged 65 and over from age discrimination for most employment purposes. The legislation also amends a variety of other statutes that have provisions connected to mandatory retirement.
For more information, visit www.labour.gov.on.ca. A toll-free telephone line is also available for public inquiries at 1-800-531-5551.
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Contacts:
Susan McConnell
Minister's Office
416-326-7710
Belinda Sutton
Ministry of Labour
416-326-7405
