Ontario employers now have new obligations when publicly advertising job postings.

As of January 1, 2026, Ontario’s new job posting and hiring transparency requirements are in force under the Employment Standards Act, 2000. These rules generally apply to Ontario employers with 25 or more employees that publicly advertise job postings.

What changed?

For covered employers, publicly advertised job postings must now include:

• the expected compensation or compensation range for the position;
• a statement disclosing whether the employer uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants; and
• a statement disclosing whether an actual vacancy exists.

Employers are also prohibited from including Canadian experience requirements in publicly advertised job postings or associated application forms.

Ontario’s job posting regulation also sets specific rules around compensation disclosure, including an exception for positions with expected compensation over $200,000 annually or a compensation range that ends above that amount.

What should employers do?

Ontario employers should review their recruitment process now, including:

• job posting templates;
• compensation range approval processes;
• AI screening tools and vendor disclosures;
• application forms;
• recruiter and hiring manager scripts;
• applicant communication timelines; and
• record retention practices.

Even where a third-party recruiter or job board is used, the employer should ensure the posting itself complies with Ontario’s new ESA requirements.

Employer takeaway

These rules mark a significant shift toward hiring transparency in Ontario. Employers should not treat this as a simple job posting update — the changes affect compensation strategy, recruitment communications, AI governance, and hiring documentation.

How HR4 helps: The HR4 Hire App helps employers stay compliant with Ontario’s new hiring requirements by building controls, reminders, and documentation steps directly into the recruitment process. From job posting details to applicant follow-ups, HR4 helps teams stay organized, consistent, and compliance-ready.