Some examples of illegal internships in Toronto

As part of the continuing series on how contemporary workplace law in Ontario discriminates against young people I've identified some examples below of illegal internships that are currently being advertised in Toronto. Before you start reading take a look at the test set out in the Employment Standards Act, 2000 ("ESA") regarding what constitutes an employee in Ontario. 

Now for the exciting part and some current examples of illegal internships. Eye Weekly runs afoul of the ESA under the 'What kind of jobs would I be doing?' section as Eye Weekly is deriving benefit from the tasks assigned to the interns and in not having to pay an employee to do them. For Luminato (alt. link) all of the internships listed on their website are illegal and breach the ESA on multiple grounds. Now Magazine is also in on the illegal intern action by offering the princely sum of $50.00 per week, one might also wonder about what learning they have in mind for someone with clerical and administrative experience. Ouat Media Distribution, which is owned by Channel Zero Inc.,  is hiring an Acquisitions Intern who will receive a small honourarium and will fulfill key priorities in managing the film acquisition process, carrying out administrative duties, and representing Ouat Media at film festivals.

As one can imagine this is just the tip of the iceberg for this very complex issue. It's becoming quite clear that misclassification of employees as interns is systemic problem within the labour market and a structural problem in relation to contemporary workplace law. For my previous thoughts on internships take a look here, here, and here.