http://settlement.org/ontario/employment/my-rights-at-work/basic-working-conditions/what-are-my-rights-as-a-worker-in-ontario/
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/00e41?search=temporary+layoff
It helps to understand what our rights are in terms of temporary layoffs (furloughs), vacation accrual/pay, overtime pay, how much notice is required before termination (or payment in lieu of), severance, and treatment of employees.
If we stay ignorant to the facts, it gives the company an opening to treat us however they want without fear of repercussions.
BTW, here is the section on "temporary layoff" from the Employment Standards Act of Ontario;;
Temporary lay-off
(2) For the purpose of clause (1) (c), a temporary layoff is,
(a) a lay-off of not more than 13 weeks in any period of 20 consecutive weeks;
(b) a lay-off of more than 13 weeks in any period of 20 consecutive weeks, if the lay-off is less than 35 weeks in any period of 52 consecutive weeks and,
(i) the employee continues to receive substantial payments from the employer,
(ii) the employer continues to make payments for the benefit of the employee under a legitimate retirement or pension plan or a legitimate group or employee insurance plan,
(iii) the employee receives supplementary unemployment benefits,
(iv) the employee is employed elsewhere during the lay-off and would be entitled to receive supplementary unemployment benefits if that were not so,
(v) the employer recalls the employee within the time approved by the Director, or
(vi) in the case of an employee who is not represented by a trade union, the employer recalls the employee within the time set out in an agreement between the employer and the employee; or
(c) in the case of an employee represented by a trade union, a lay-off longer than a lay-off described in clause (b) where the employer recalls the employee within the time set out in an agreement between the employer and the trade union. 2000, c. 41, s. 56 (2); 2001, c. 9, Sched. I, s. 1 (12).