Ontario looks to mandate washroom access for delivery workers

Couriers, truck drivers and delivery workers will soon have better access to washrooms during their shifts.

Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton revealed the province’s plan to introduce legislation that would, if passed, allow delivery workers access to company washrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up items.

It would not provide workers access to businesses that they are not delivering or picking up from or private residences.

The province says couriers, truck drivers, and people who deliver food, including those for online delivery platform companies such as SkipTheDishes, are often denied use of a washroom at businesses they serve.

“This is something most people in Ontario take for granted but access to washrooms is a matter of common decency currently being denied to hundreds of thousands of workers in this province,” said McNaughton in a news release. “Workers who deliver and pick up goods have been on the frontlines of the pandemic, ensuring that essential supplies continue to reach the people of Ontario. Providing these hardworking men and women with access to washrooms is a small change that will make a big difference, so they can do their jobs with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
The proposed legislation is part of the government’s broader efforts to protect and support vulnerable workers.

The province says the change is a step to show respect and fairness to hardworking couriers and truck drivers.

Last year, more than 230,000 Ontarians were working as delivery drivers, couriers and door-to-door distributors.