R. v. J. Cote and Son Excavating Ltd., 2025 BCSC 2540, a recent decision of the British Columbia Supreme Court, serves as a stark reminder that workplace safety failures can give rise to criminal liability for employers. In this decision, an employer was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death and criminal negligence causing bodily…
Practice Area: Occupational Health
Ontario Launches Canada’s First Occupational Exposure Registry Self-Tracker
Ontario has launched Canada’s first Occupational Exposure Registry. This timely analysis from Nadine Zacks helps employers understand the registry’s scope, purpose, and limits within Ontario’s existing health and safety framework.
Important Changes to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act Take Effect January 1, 2026
New Occupational Health and Safety Act updates take effect January 1, 2026. In this article, we outline the latest requirements impacting construction projects, sanitation records, public sector procurement, and enforcement measures that employers and constructors need to know.
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.
Arbitrator Finds Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and Discipline for Non-Compliance Reasonable in Ontario Nurses’ Association v. Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
Are mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies in hospitals reasonable? Arbitrator says “yes” in Ontario Nurses’ Association v. Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. In this FTR Now, Hicks Morley’s Andrew Zabrovsky and Amanda Cohen discuss the reasoning of each party and review the decision.
Live-Saving Defibrillator Device Required on Construction Projects in 2026
A recent amendment to the Construction Projects Regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act) requires that construction projects install and maintain an Automated External Defibrillator, and the necessary accessories to use the machine. A defibrillator, or “AED,” is a life-saving device which can be used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. While training is…
Ontario Court of Appeal Grants Leave to Appeal Acquittal in Benevides Decision, Opening Door to Expanded Workplace Safety Liability for Incidental Construction Workers
On June 9, 2025 the Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision in Ontario (Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development) v. Benevides, granting leave to appeal the provincial offences appeal judge’s decision to the Court of Appeal. Background This case stems from a construction site incident that occurred in April of 2020 where eight spools…
Employers Have a Statutory Duty to Investigate Claims of Harassment and Authority to Discipline Off-Duty Conduct When It Manifests in the Workplace
The Ontario Court of Appeal rules that employers have a statutory duty to investigate claims of harassment and have the authority to discipline off-duty conduct when it manifests in the workplace.
Ontario Introduces Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025
On May 28, 2025, the Ontario government introduced Bill 30, the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (Bill 30). Bill 30 continues the province’s ongoing “Working for Workers” legislative initiative, proposing significant amendments to various employment-related statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
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.