For the people? Regulating employment standards in an era of Right-wing populism

Abstract

Abstract Set in the context of the June 2018 election of Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative provincial government in Ontario, this paper examines the implications of Right-wing populism for the regulation of legislated employment standards. Focusing on the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018, the paper argues that the Ford Government’s Right-wing populism served to legitimate legislative changes that undermine workplace protections and workers’ rights, and contribute to growing precariousness in the labour market.