Our annual Year in Review is here. In this article, Lesley Campbell, Ryan Freeman, Amanda Cohen, Rhonda B. Levy, and Owais Hashmi outline the most influential labour and employment decisions of 2025 and highlight two upcoming rulings that employers can expect to plan for the year ahead
Practice Area: Labour Relations
Federal Government Reminds Federally Regulated Employers About Harassment and Violence Policy Compliance
Are your harassment and violence prevention policies up to date? George Vuicic breaks down the federal government’s recent reminder and what federally regulated employers should revisit to ensure continued compliance in the year ahead.
Major Changes to Federal Leaves Take Effect on December 12, 2025
Significant amendments to leave provisions under the Canada Labour Code will soon take effect, expanding entitlements for federally regulated employees and introducing new compliance obligations for employers. George Vuicic outlines what federally regulated employers need to do now to remain compliant.
Federal Inspection Blitz Targets Driver Misclassification in GTA Trucking Industry
The Federal Government is cracking down on driver misclassification in the GTA trucking industry. James Davis explores the indicators distinguishing employees from independent contractors and highlights the implications of misclassification for employers.
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…
Lessons in Labour Relations for School Board Employers
Recent arbitration rulings and initiatives are reshaping how Ontario school boards interpret key employment and education provisions. In this School Board Update, Brittany Bates, Jordynne Hislop and Vincent Panetta will review the decisions and discuss how they provide guidance for school boards in refining policy frameworks.
Federal Government Launches Consultation on Proposed Regulatory Amendments to New Leave Provisions Under the Canada Labour Code
The #federalgovernment published proposed regulatory amendments that would implement significant changes to leave entitlements for federally regulated employees. The proposed regulations support the implementation of the three new leave provisions introduced in the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, which received royal assent on June 20, 2024.
Arbitrator Dismisses Faculty Grievance over Bill 124 Wage Dispute: No Arbitral Jurisdiction Without Reopener Provision in Collective Agreement
In a recent labour arbitration decision, Arbitrator William Kaplan dismissed a grievance filed against Wilfrid Laurier University (University) by the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (the Association) on behalf of its Contract Teaching Faculty (CTF) bargaining unit. This decision provides important guidance on the limits of an arbitrator’s jurisdiction in addressing legislative constraints on collective…
Ontario Announces Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025
The Ontario government introduced Bill 2, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025. Framed as a defensive strategy, Bill 2 aims to boost interprovincial trade in response to U.S. tariff pressures.
Ontario Court of Appeal Denies Crown Leave to Appeal, Affirms City of Greater Sudbury Exercised Due Diligence in Workplace Fatality
The Ontario Court of Appeal has denied the Crown’s motion for leave to appeal, finding the City of Greater Sudbury successfully exercised due diligence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In this FTR Now, Stephanie Jeronimo and Allison E. MacIsaac explore the Court’s reasoning and what it means for employers moving forward.