Update as of October 23: Ford has introduced legislation that does not include stripping workers of domestic abuse protections and high heel laws.

Some of Ontario’s most influential universities and colleges are members of a business lobby group calling for the full repeal of Bill 148, which includes laws designed to protect domestic abuse victims and prevent employers from forcing sexist dress codes on women.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is Ontario’s leading business lobby and is calling for a full repeal of the bill. The Chamber is comprised of numerous businesses and institutions who make up its membership.

According to the membership directory website, the Chamber’s membership includes influential universities such as the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and York University.

It is unclear which membership tier each university or college is part of. But Advocacy and Leadership membership tiers “participate on committees and task forces to help drive the policy agenda”.

Bill 148 was a labour bill passed by the previous government that among other things, improved labour conditions for precarious workers, increased vacation pay and sick leave and increased Ontario’s minimum wage.

The bill also included laws that improved leave for people or their children who suffered or face the prospects of physical or sexual abuse from a partner.

Another provision prevents employers from forcing women to wear high heels as a condition of their employment.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is proposing a full repeal of the law, which would include additional domestic abuse leave and rules around high heels.

Here is every single Ontario university and college who is a member of The Ontario Chamber of Commerce:

Brock University

Centennial College

George Brown College

Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning

Niagara College

Ryerson University

Seneca College

St Lawrence College

University of Guelph

University of Toronto

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

University of Windsor

Wilfrid Laurier University

York University

North99 reached emailed most universities listed above and requested a comment. As of publishing this story, not a single university had responded.

Add your name if you oppose the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Doug Ford’s plan to roll back domestic abuse leave