Ontario proposes legislation to allow delivery drivers access to washrooms at businesses

The Ontario government is proposing laws to permit supply drivers and couriers entry to washrooms at companies the place they drop off or decide up packages or meals.

“Consultations performed by the Ontario Workforce Restoration Advisory Committee have indicated that couriers, truck drivers, and individuals who ship meals, together with these for on-line supply platform corporations resembling SkipTheDishes, are sometimes denied use of a washroom at companies they serve,” the federal government mentioned in a launch.

Ontario’s labour minister Monte McNaughton made the announcement on Wednesday and mentioned the transfer is a part of the federal government’s efforts to guard and assist susceptible employees resembling those that transfer important items and have saved the economic system going by way of the pandemic.

If the laws is handed, the federal government mentioned it might require enterprise house owners to open up their washrooms for supply drivers, McNaughton mentioned.

McNaughton mentioned the regulation would apply to industrial companies, for instance a restaurant the place a driver is selecting up meals, and to not a non-public residence the place the merchandise or meals is being dropped off.

“That is one thing most individuals in Ontario take without any consideration however entry to washrooms is a matter of frequent decency at present being denied to lots of of hundreds of employees on this province,” McNaughton mentioned.

“Offering these hardworking women and men with entry to washrooms is a small change that can make an enormous distinction, to allow them to do their jobs with the dignity and respect they deserve.”