Employers Take Note: Certain Employees Entitled to Paid Time Off to Cast Vote in the 2025 Ontario Provincial Election

The Ontario provincial election will be held on February 27, 2025. Under the Ontario Election Act (Act), eligible employees are entitled to three consecutive hours during voting hours to cast their vote. In some circumstances, this may require employers to provide certain employees with paid time off to vote.

Ontario Government Introduces Municipal Accountability Act, 2024

On December 12, 2024, the Ontario government introduced Bill 241, Municipal Accountability Act, 2024 (Bill 241). If passed, this proposed legislation would provide the government with the ability to establish a standardized provincial code of conduct for municipalities. Bill 241 also expands the oversight powers of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario and creates new mechanisms…

Federal Government Publishes Technical Amendments to the Income Tax Regulations Impacting Pension Plans and Employee Stock Option Plans

On December 4, 2024, the federal government published technical amendments to the Income Tax Regulations in the Canada Gazette. These technical amendments will implement measures that were initially released for public consultation in August 2022 and August 2023, and many will be retroactively coming into force as of their respective date of announcement (or earlier)….

Key “In Force” Dates Under Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 and Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 Now Proclaimed and Regulations Released

Both the Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 and Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 received Royal Assent earlier this year, with many of the key provisions to be proclaimed in force at a later date. This has now occurred and accompanying regulations have been enacted to provide additional obligations and, in some cases, clarify…

Ontario Introduces Working for Workers Six Act, 2024

On November 27, 2024, the Ontario government introduced the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 (Bill 229). Bill 229 proposes amendments to various employment-related statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. Key proposed amendments are addressed below. Employment Standards Act, 2000 If passed,…

CCES Releases Draft Canadian Safe Sport Program Rules for Feedback

This fifth installment of the Safe Sport series addresses a first draft of the Canadian Safe Sport Program Rules (CSSP) which has been published for consultation and feedback. This is an important document for the future of safe sport in Canada. As the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) begins its transition to administer…

SDRCC Rules That Maltreatment and Abuse Warrant Lifetime Ban On Working With Athletes

Addressing complaints of the maltreatment and abuse of athletes continues to be a developing and hot-button issue in Canadian law. The Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) recently released its June 27, 2024 decision in Elvira Saadi v Gymnastics Canada (GymCan), which upheld the original decision of a disciplinary panel of Gymnastics Canada (GymCan)…

Ontario Government Launches Consultation on New Job Posting Rules Under the ESA

On August 21, 2024, the Ontario government launched consultations on the new Part III.1 (Job Postings) of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). This section was passed under Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act, 2024, with further proposed amendments introduced in Bill 190, Working for Workers Five Act, 2024. While not yet in force,…

City of Greater Sudbury Exercised Due Diligence in Construction Site Fatality As Appeal Dismissed by Ontario Superior Court of Justice

A long-awaited decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (SCJ) was released on August 23, 2024, dismissing an appeal by the Crown who challenged the trial judge’s finding that the City of Greater Sudbury exercised due diligence in a workplace fatality. This decision is significant for construction project owners and general contractors, as it…