In Ontario, an independent contractor is a self-employed individual who provides services to a client or business. They are responsible for their own taxes, benefits, and liability insurance. Independent contractors often have specialized skills and can work in a variety of industries such as IT, graphic design, writing, or consulting.

Unlike employees, independent contractors are not provided with benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation, or sick leave. They also do not receive employer contributions to their Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Employment Insurance (EI) premiums, and they are responsible for paying their share of these taxes.

Independent contractors are often hired to work on short-term projects or to provide specialized skills that a company may not have in-house. They are not considered employees, and as such, they do not have the same legal protections and benefits.

Hiring an independent contractor can have benefits for both the contractor and the hiring business. For the contractor, they have the freedom to set their own working hours and rates, and they have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients. For the business, they can save money on benefits and taxes, and they have access to specialized skills that they may not have in-house.

However, it is important to note that misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor can have legal consequences for the employer. Additionally, there are various factors that determine whether an individual is classified as an employee or an independent contractor, such as the degree of control over work, ownership of tools and equipment, and opportunity for profit and risk of loss.

In Ontario, the Ministry of Labour provides resources and information on the differences between employees and independent contractors. It is important for both contractors and businesses to understand their rights and obligations to avoid legal issues.

In conclusion, an independent contractor in Ontario is a self-employed individual who provides specialized services to a client or business. They are responsible for their own taxes, benefits, and liability insurance. While hiring an independent contractor can have benefits for both parties, it is important to understand the differences between employees and independent contractors and to properly classify workers to avoid legal issues.