What is the minimum age for working in Ontario?
The minimum age for working in Ontario is 14 years for most types of work. However, 14-, 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds are not to be employed during school hours unless they have been excused from school attendance in accordance with Regulation 308 of the Education Act. Some regulations specify higher minimum ages for certain types of work, as follows: • Underground Mines: 18 years • Construction: 16 years • Window Cleaning: 18 years • Logging Operations: 16 years • Factories or Repair Shops: 15 years • Stores, Offices or Arenas: 14 years. In a restaurant, the food preparation area would be considered a factory, with a minimum age of 15 years, whereas the cash register would be a shop – minimum age: 14 years. Special programs for young workers are described in a section of the ministry’s web site devoted to issues of concern to students and young workers.
