Title:
New Ontario Laws Coming in July 2025: What Tenants, Gig Workers, and People With Disabilities Must Know Now
As July 2025 approaches, Ontario is rolling out three major legal changes that promise to reshape the lives of renters, gig workers, and people living with disabilities. These new rules—ranging from a landmark anti-renoviction bylaw in Toronto to historic protections for digital platform workers and the launch of the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit—are designed to address key social and economic challenges.
This detailed breakdown explains what each law means, who it affects, and how to prepare.
Table of Contents
Toronto’s Renoviction Bylaw: Shielding Tenants From Unjust Evictions
Effective Date: July 31, 2025
Toronto is introducing a new Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw aimed at cracking down on “renovictions”—a practice where landlords evict tenants under the guise of renovation, only to hike up rent or prevent tenants from returning.
What Landlords Must Do Under the New Bylaw
- Apply for a Rental Renovation Licence before issuing an N13 eviction notice.
- Secure all necessary building permits and get a qualified architect or engineer to confirm the unit must be vacated for renovations.
- Notify tenants properly and offer the right to return at the same rent.
- Provide compensation or temporary housing if tenants must move out.
- Pay severance (3 months rent-gap) if tenants choose not to return.
Enforcement and Penalties
The City of Toronto will monitor compliance. Non-compliance may result in:
- Fines up to $1,000 for late licence applications
- $10,000 daily fines for ongoing violations
- $100,000 maximum fines for unjust evictions or renovation fraud
If you receive an N13 notice after July 31, verify your landlord has followed the new legal steps with the city.
Ontario’s Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act: A New Era for Gig Workers
Effective Date: July 1, 2025
Ontario’s Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act (DPWRA) will grant new labor protections to gig workers employed via digital platforms like Uber, DoorDash, Lyft, and SkipTheDishes.
This law applies regardless of your classification as an employee or independent contractor under current employment laws.
Key Protections for Gig Workers
- Minimum Wage: At least $17.20/hour (as of Oct 2024), but only for active work time.
- Pay Transparency: Full disclosure on how pay is calculated, including tips and rating factors.
- Tip Protection: No illegal deductions or withholding of tips.
- Regular Paydays: Workers must be paid on a recurring schedule.
- Fair Platform Access: You can’t be deactivated for over 24 hours without written notice and a valid reason.
- Dispute Resolution: All work disputes must be resolved within Ontario.
Penalties for Violations
Corporate violators face fines up to:
- $100,000 for a first offence
- $500,000 for repeat offences
If you’re a platform worker, now is the time to understand these new rights. Platform operators must update systems and policies to comply—or face steep penalties.
Canada Disability Benefit: Monthly Financial Relief for Low-Income Adults With Disabilities
First Payments Start: July 2025
Application Deadline for July Payment: June 30, 2025
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is a federal income supplement for low-income Canadians aged 18–64 living with disabilities. It is a core part of the national Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
What You Can Get
- Up to $200/month or $2,400/year
- Income-tested: Full benefit for individuals earning under $23,000 annually
- Phase-out begins at $33,000 income and ends by $45,000
Couples have different thresholds depending on joint income and eligibility.
Who Qualifies?
- You must be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
- Be between 18 and 64 years old
- Be a resident of Canada for tax purposes
- Have filed your 2024 tax return
How to Apply
- Online via the Canada Disability Benefit Application Portal
- By phone, mail, or in-person at Service Canada offices
If you apply after June 30, you may still receive retroactive payments for up to 2 years.
Why These Laws Matter More Than Ever
These laws are more than just policy—they’re responses to urgent, systemic challenges:
- Rising eviction rates and homelessness have made affordable housing a crisis in cities like Toronto.
- Gig workers, a fast-growing workforce segment, have long operated without standard protections or predictable pay.
- People with disabilities face disproportionately high poverty rates and barriers to economic inclusion.
Together, these laws reflect a broader movement toward economic fairness, worker protections, and social inclusion.
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Steps You Should Take Right Now
For Tenants in Toronto
- If you get an N13 eviction notice after July 31, check that your landlord has obtained the required Rental Renovation Licence.
- Know your rights to compensation, return, or severance.
For Gig Workers
- Understand your new rights under the DPWRA.
- If you’re unfairly deactivated, request written explanation and file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour.
For Individuals With Disabilities
- Ensure you are approved for the DTC.
- Apply for the Canada Disability Benefit by June 30, 2025 to receive July payments.
- Reach out to community organizations or Service Canada for help with applications.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss Out on These New Legal Protections
Whether you’re struggling to keep your home, delivering food on the streets of Toronto, or navigating life with a disability, these laws were created to protect your rights and improve your financial stability.
July 2025 marks a turning point. Be informed. Be proactive. Take action.
For more details, visit:
- Toronto.ca for renoviction bylaw info
- Ontario.ca for gig worker legislation
- Canada.ca for Disability Benefit applications