Canada-U.S. Trade Talks Break Down: What Employers Should Watch For

Canada-U.S. trade talks have broken down, and the federal government has announced retaliatory tariffs expected to take effect on September 8. For employers in affected sectors the developments may raise important operational and workforce planning considerations.

Employer Conduct, Frustrated Contracts, and the Limits of Benefit Deductibility

In Hedrick v. Johnston Meier Insurance Agencies Ltd., Justice Bennett of the Supreme Court of British Columbia addressed two issues that will be of interest to employers: when an employer may rely on frustration of contract, and when statutory benefit payments may be deducted from wrongful dismissal damages.

Arbitrator Strikes Down TTC’s Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Program

A significant decision concerning workplace drug and alcohol testing, has found that the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) random drug and alcohol testing program was unreasonable, contrary to the collective agreement and inconsistent with employees’ rights under section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter).