Welcome to our annual review of notable legislative updates over the past year that we believe will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals.
Insights
Hicks Morley publishes a number of materials, both electronic and print, on issue-specific and sector-specific topics of interest to our clients. Our insights section has links to all of our various publications, updates and blogs, both current and historical, to keep you informed of developments in the law that impact human resources.
984 Results
FTR Now
On December 16, 2024, the federal government issued its 2024 Fall Economic Statement. The Statement covers a wide array of initiatives including several proposals that, if they were to be implemented, will be of interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators. Early Retirement Benefits in the Public Service The government has proposed…
FTR Now
Holiday Party Best Practices: A Guide for Employers
· 5 min readThe holiday season is a time for people to come together and celebrate. For many of us, this may include workplace parties. With seasonal festivities and holidays just around the corner, it’s that time of year again to consider the proactive steps employers can take to ensure the health and safety of employees who attend…
Case In Point
Settlement agreements require careful attention to both present and future entitlements, as highlighted by the Ontario Court of Appeal’s recent decision in Preston v. Cervus Equipment Corporation. The Court held that the scope of an executed release, indemnity and minutes of settlement (the Settlement Documents) precluded an employee’s subsequent claim to vested stock units, despite…
Case In Point
In the recent decision Yu v. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunal) provided important clarification on the distinction between continuing discriminatory acts and the ongoing effects of past discrimination. The decision offers valuable guidance for employers and administrative bodies on when subsequent reviews of past decisions can constitute fresh…
Case In Point
In the recent decision of Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc., the Ontario Superior Court of Justice upheld the enforceability of a termination clause in an employment agreement that limited the plaintiff’s entitlement to only the minimum standards under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). The Court held the clause was valid and enforceable and consequently dismissed…
Case In Point
In an important decision for employers, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunal) confirmed that distinction does not necessarily amount to discrimination. In Zanette v. Ottawa Chamber Music Society, the Tribunal held that the Ottawa Chamber Music Society’s request that a volunteer usher (Zanette) remove a rainbow sticker from his name badge did not constitute…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Employment Expenses: Updated Process and T2200 Form
· 4 min readThe Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has published revised guidance on the process for claiming home office expenses for the 2023 taxation year just in time for tax season. The CRA has confirmed that the two temporary methods for claiming deductions for home office expenses—form T2200S, “Declaration of Conditions of Employment for Working at Home Due…
FTR Now
On February 12, 2024, the Ontario Court of Appeal rendered its much-anticipated decision in Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association v. Ontario (Attorney General). A majority of the Court upheld in part the decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (ONSC) which found that Bill 124, the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations…
Common Ground? Class Action Updates
Class action proceedings often end in negotiated settlements. Those settlements (which must be approved by a court) can be significant in monetary terms. In Manuge v. Canada, the Federal Court recently approved the settlement of a class action arising from the alleged miscalculation and underpayment of disability pension benefits for members and veterans of the…