Ontario is investing $11.6 million to hire 98 frontline health and safety inspectors who will ensure workplaces across the province are doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

The hiring will push the number of active inspectors in the province from 409 to 507, an increase of 24 percent. With these new hires, there will be more labour inspectors on the ground than ever before in the province’s history, according to the government. 

The new inspectors will have the power to:

“Nothing is more important than protecting the health and safety of our workers”, says Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development. “By building the largest labour inspectorate in history, we’re in the best position to do just that”. 

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is pleased with the government announcement, noting that the new inspectors will cover a range of workplaces, including industrial, construction, and health care.