Regarding vacation payout without taking time off, the Ontario ESA does not explicitly address this issue. However, it states that employees must take their vacation time within 10 months after the vacation entitlement year ends. This implies that the intent of vacation time is for employees to take a break from work rather than simply receiving additional pay.
That being said, it is possible that your specific employment contract or company policies may allow for vacation payout without taking time off. Therefore, it is recommended to refer to your employment contract, collective agreement, or consult with your HR department to understand the specific rules and regulations regarding vacation payout in your organization.
 
Additional Resources:
How to Make Payments of Vacation Pay
 
Hope this helps!