As 2025 comes to a close, social services employers face important changes shaping the workplace. Mornelle Lee, Madeline Lusk, and Michael S. Smyth share key insights on the rise of AI in HR, enforcing Last Chance Agreements and navigating new compliance rules significant changes under the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 – helping employers organizations prepare for 2026.
Practice Area: Employment Law
Ontario’s Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 Receives Royal Assent
Ontario continues its “Working for Workers” initiative with Bill 30, introducing major updates for employers. Mari Maimets, Nadine Zacks and Daryl Seupersad outline the key changes introduced and highlight what employers should take note of to be prepared.
Updated Employer Obligations for Mass Terminations
Are your termination protocols up to date?Paul Broad breaks down Ontario’s new requirement to provide an Employment Ontario Career Supports information sheet for mass terminations and key steps that employers can take to stay compliant.
Ontario Government Mandates New “Student and Family Support Offices” For All School Boards
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.
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…