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.


286 Results

FTR Now

Ontario Budget 2019: Protecting What Matters Most – Key Human Resources Highlights

By: Natasha D. Monkman, Paul E. Broad, Sukhvinder K. Dulay, Jordan N. Fremont, Tierney Read Grieve

On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its 2019 Budget, Protecting What Matters Most (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 100, the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 (Bill 100).

The Budget outlines key initiatives around broader public sector compensation, reforms within the healthcare sector, registered pension plans, freedom of information, and more. In this FTR Now, we highlight the proposals that are of particular interest to employers, benefits plan administrators and human resources professionals.

Human Resources Legislative Update

Bill 66 Passes, Amends ESA, LRA and PBA

By: Diana P. Holloway, Natasha D. Monkman

On April 3, 2019, Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019, received Royal Assent. Bill 66 is omnibus legislation which amends various statutes, including the following employment-related statutes: Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) The ESA has been amended to remove the need for employers to obtain the approval of the Director of Employment Standards in…

FTR Views

Coverage for Medical Cannabis under Ontario’s Workers’ Compensation System [Video]

By: Mariana Kamenetsky, Kathryn L. Meehan

The legalization of recreational cannabis, which came into effect on October 17, 2018, has raised many questions for employers about cannabis use in the workplace, as well as potential coverage of cannabis under benefit plans. In this video, Mariana Kamenetsky and Kathryn Meehan talk about coverage for medical cannabis under Ontario’s workers’ compensation system.

FTR Now

Ontario Announces Significant Health Care Reform

By: Sarah A. Eves, Stephanie N. Jeronimo

On February 26, 2019 the Ontario government tabled Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, which includes the introduction of the Connecting Care Act, 2019. If passed, the legislation will allow for the creation of a central agency, Ontario Health, to oversee the health care system across the province, as well as the creation of integrated care delivery systems. In this FTR Now we provide an overview of the proposed legislation, with an emphasis on the labour and employment implications for health service providers.

School Board Update

School Boards Take Note: Recent Developments of Interest

By: Amanda E. Lawrence-Patel, Dianne E. Jozefacki, Diana P. Holloway, Kate K. Shao, Matin Fazelpour

In this Update, we discuss a recent decision of Arbitrator Nyman with respect to what constitutes a collective agreement and which re-affirms the longstanding principle that the interpretation of a collective agreement is first to be based on the plain and ordinary meaning of the written words. We also discuss a topical case with respect to a grievor’s obligation to produce arguably relevant medical documentation in the context of a grievance arbitration – notwithstanding the contractual restrictions that may exist.

FTR Quarterly

FTR Quarterly – Issue 12

By: Shivani Chopra, Will T. McLennan, Amanda J. Hunter

In This Issue: Year in Review – Key Human Resources Law Developments of 2018, The Road Ahead: Human Resources Trends and Issues to Watch in 2019 and more!

FTR Now

Ministry of Labour Publishes New ESA Poster

By: Will T. McLennan, Amanda J. Hunter

The Ministry of Labour has published a revised version of the ESA poster (Version 8.0) to reflect the recent changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 made by Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018. Employers are required to post the poster in a conspicuous place in the workplace, among other things. Learn more in this FTR Now.

FTR Now

More Changes to Workplace Laws Are on the Horizon for Ontario Employers

By: Paul E. Broad, Natasha D. Monkman, Craig S. Rix

On December 6, 2018, Bill 57, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018 passed Third Reading and received Royal Assent. On the same date, the government tabled Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018, omnibus legislation which, if passed, will make significant amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA), the Pension Benefits Act (PBA) and other statutes.

FTR Now

Municipalities Take Note: The Expanded Role of Integrity Commissioners

By: Ryan B. Plener, David W. Foster

In this FTR Now, we outline a number of major changes to the Municipal Act, 2001 and discuss their potential impact on municipalities. As you prepare for compliance with the reforms outlined in Bill 68, your implementation plan should include consideration of traditional “human resources” issues when establishing your Codes of Conduct.

Human Resources Legislative Update

New Regulations Filed Under Labour Relations Act, 1995 – Arbitration Awards to be Made Publicly Available

By: Julia M. Nanos

On November 21, 2018, the Ontario government filed two regulations made under the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA). The first regulation is made further to the repeal by Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018 of certain provisions of the LRA, previously enacted by Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 (Bill…