The conduct of your agency is bound by the provincial and federal employment standards, which supersede your personnel policies even when not specifically stated. The legislative bodies whose laws and standards may affect you include:

• Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. For information on registration and incorporation matters contact the Companies Branch at 1-800-361-3223 or www.oncorp.com/mccr/clienttopics.htm. You can also obtain the Acts and Non-profit Incorporator’s Handbook through Publications Ontario at 1-800-668-9938.
• Ministry of Education and Training. LBS funding and program requirements are laid out by the literacy and Basic Skills Section of the Workplace Preparation Branch of the Ministry of Education and Training. The general inquiry number is 416-326-5482.
• Revenue Canada. Two major sections of this department will be of particular interest to community-based literacy agencies. The Business Services Section will provide information and forms on GST and payroll deductions. Call 1-800-959-5525 to be connected with the closest office for your dialling area. For information on obtaining charitable status, contact the Charitable Division at 1-800-267-2384.
• Ministry of Labour. The Employment Standards Act sets out the minimum requirements in the law, however the more convenient Employer’s Guide to Employment Standards can be purchased by calling the Ministry directly at 1-800-5315551 or Publications Ontario at 1-800-668-9938. Free fact sheets may be picked up from your nearest Ministry of Labour offices (check the blue pages of your telephone directory). Try them online at www.gov.on.ca/LAB/es.introe.htm. The Ministry of Labour is also responsible for occupational health and safety issues.
• Ontario Human Rights Commission.You can get the Human Rights Code, legal guidelines and plain language information at www.ohrc.on.ca/index2.htm or by calling 1-800-387- 9080.
• Ministry of Finance. This Ministry oversees the Employer Health Tax (a payroll tax paid by the employer). Note that your organization is exempt from this tax as long as:
  • your board members are elected
  • you are considered a non-profit and have charitable status under Revenue Canada
  • you are exempt from paying federal income tax.
  If in doubt, contact the Ministry of Finance at 1-800-465-6699 to assess your status.
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (a crown corporation). Although deductions are typically not compulsory for community-based non-profit literacy agencies, your organization may choose to register and make payments for employees. For more information, contact the Board at 1-800-387-5540.

If you feel bewildered, seek advice! A local college or university business department may be able to supply low-cost or free consultants who can advise you. Local business people or human resource professionals may be willing to join the board and/or offer their expertise on a one-time basis. Look beyond literacy to other non-profit agencies with similar mandates to share ideas.