Ontario has mandated new “Student and Family Support Offices” across all school boards. In this School Board Update, Dolores Barbini explores the expectations associated with the Offices and how boards can prepare for the transition.
Practice Area: Employment Law
Proposed Pension Act Amendments Could Reshape JSPP Transfer Framework
Hicks Morley’s Natasha Monkman and David Gruber break down the latest amendments to the Pension Benefits Act introduced in Bill 68 that pave the way for converting a defined contribution (DC) plan into a jointly sponsored pension plan (JSPP).
Federal Budget 2025: Key Highlights for Employers and Pension Plan Administrators
On November 04, 2025, the federal government tabled its 2025 budget, “Canada Strong“ (budget). While focused on economic spending, infrastructure, and housing, the budget also introduced several significant initiatives impacting employers, pension plan administrators, and human resources professionals. We have summarized the most significant of these announcements below. Labour and Employment Employment Insurance (EI) Retirement…
Less Paperwork, More Time: Licensing Period for Temporary Help Agencies and Recruiters Extended to Two Years
In this FTR Now, Andrew Movrin and Jessica Toldo break down the recent two-year extension to temporary help agencies’ and recruiters’ licensing, and what organizations should be mindful of.
Federal Government Implements Extensions to Temporary Employment Insurance Relief Measures in Response to Tariffs
In this FTR Now, Andrew Easto and Bayley Winkel discuss the extension to Employment Insurance measures now in affect and how they may impact both employers and employees.
When Last Chance Truly Means Last Chance: Arbitrator Upholds Termination Over Unauthorized Absence
Hicks Morley’s Madeline Lusk examines why an employer’s decision to terminate after an employee breached a last chance agreement was upheld.
Reminder to Employers: Ontario to Increase Minimum Wage Effective October 1, 2025
A reminder to employers that the Ontario government will increase the general minimum wage to $17.60 an hour (from $17.20 an hour) effective October 1, 2025. This minimum wage applies to most employees. The minimum wage for the following groups will also increase on October 1, 2025: This adjustment reflects the 2.4% increase in the Ontario Consumer Price…
Ontario Government Taking Significant Steps to Break Down Interprovincial Barriers for Certified Professionals
On September 1, 2025, the Ontario government announced significant steps to break down interprovincial barriers for certified professionals, effective January 1, 2026. The new “As of Right” framework, a key part of the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act, 2025, is designed to streamline the certification process for qualified workers from other provinces…
No Takebacks: Ontario Court Rejects Employee’s Attempt to Rewrite Settlement Terms in Johnstone v. Loblaw
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has delivered a clear message about the binding nature of settlement agreements in employment disputes, emphasizing that acceptance of settlement terms creates legally binding obligations that cannot be unilaterally modified after the fact.
In Johnstone v. Loblaw, Justice Brownstone enforced a settlement despite the employee’s subsequent attempts to introduce new conditions, stating emphatically that “Buyer’s remorse, a change of heart, or even growing concern about his ability to close his house purchase do not entitle him to renege on a settlement.”
Ontario Launches the Protect Ontario Financial Program with $1 Billion in Support to Sectors Impacted by Ongoing Tariff Disputes
How does Ontario’s new program look out for your business in the face of ongoing U.S. tariffs? In this FTR Now, Hicks Morley’s Mornelle Lee discusses the implication of the program in today’s economic context and actions employers can take now to be ready for the program.