Ontario proposes ban on making workers pay for uniforms
· Toronto Sun
The province says employees shouldn’t have to pay for their uniforms, and is proposing a ban on employers from making employees do just that.
The Strengthening Talent Agency Regulation (STAR) Act, among other things, would ensure employees no longer pay out of pocket for mandatory uniforms just so they can do their jobs. The legislation would also demand more transparency from talent agencies to support workers in the entertainment industry — issues such as limiting commission rates, timely payment for work done and mandatory bank accounts for funds owed to such workers.
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Common, but overlooked
The government says the change addresses a common but overlooked issue in entry-level sectors such as retail, hospitality and food service, where some workers pay upwards of $50. The ban would apply when uniforms are mandatory and employer-specific, such as including a logo, and not reasonably usable outside work. Small businesses would likely be exempt from the ban.
“Ontario workers are the backbone of our province and they deserve to keep more of what they earn. Whether you work in a restaurant or hotel, no one should have to pay out of pocket for a uniform just to earn a paycheque,” Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini said in a news release. “At the same time, Ontario’s entertainment and creative industries showcase our talent to the world and support thousands of good jobs. That’s why we’re improving fairness and transparency to ensure performers are paid what they’re owed.”
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Big industry
Such legislation already exists in Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia, and it would have a wide-reaching effect in Ontario. The province notes some 178,000 people were employed in arts, entertainment and recreation in 2024. In 2025, 383,900 people were employed in restaurants and bars, where uniforms can be mandatory.
Arts professionals hailed the move by the Ford government. ACTRA president Kate Ziegler said in the release: “These new protections reflect years of advocacy and collaborative efforts, and will help further ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability throughout the talent representation system,” she said.
– With files from The Canadian Press