On November 30, 2020, Bill 214, Time Amendment Act, 2020, a Private Member’s Bill, received Royal Assent. It has not yet been proclaimed into force. If proclaimed into force, the Bill would amend the Time Act to make the time now called “daylight savings time” the “standard time” year round. In addition, the Bill would…
Business Operation: Ontario
Ontario Government Launches Workplace Education and Enforcement Campaigns to Ensure COVID-19 Health and Safety Compliance
On November 19, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it is launching a series of education and enforcement campaigns (“inspection blitzes”) to ensure Ontario businesses are taking the necessary steps for the safety of employees, consumers and the public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaigns have been developed in consultation with local health…
York Region Moves to Modified Stage 2, Further Changes to Stage 2 Rules
On October 16, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it is moving York Region into the Rules for Areas in Stage 2, effective October 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in that area. This is in effect for 28 days. We discussed the modifications made to the Rules for…
Deadlines under Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act are Approaching
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) sets out the process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards in Ontario. Its purpose is to achieve accessibility standards for Ontarians with physical and mental disabilities by 2025. All levels of government, private sector organizations and non-profit organizations must comply with this legislation. Compliance deadline dates depend…
Ontario Moves Forward with Amendments to the Class Proceedings Act, 1992
Recent reforms to Ontario’s class action regime will come into effect on October 1, 2020. Ontario’s Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, 2020 (Act), which received Royal Assent on July 8, 2020, amends various statutes related to the province’s courts and justice system. Schedule 4 of the Act makes significant revisions to the Class Proceedings Act,…
COVID-19 Update: Restrictions Imposed Across Ontario, and Orders Extended to October 22
Note: this post has been modified from its original publication on September 18, 2020 The Ontario government has imposed restrictions on the number of people who can attend unmonitored social gatherings and public events across all Ontario regions in light of the increase of COVID-19 cases in these areas. These restrictions are directed to private…
Ontario Government Announces Extension of Temporary Relief from ESA Termination and Severance Provisions
On Thursday, September 3, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it would be extending the temporary relief measures from the termination and severance provisions of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) until January 2, 2021. The temporary measures are found in Ontario Regulation 228/20, Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL Regulation), and had been set to expire today (September 4, 2020). The IDEL Regulation has been amended to define the “COVID-19 period” as that period beginning on March 1, 2020 and ending on January 2, 2021
Public Consultation on Ontario Privacy Law Reform for Private Sector
The Ontario government has opened a public consultation phase seeking input on reform for private sector privacy law, specifically to address gaps in the existing law and to enact new rules to protect privacy rights and increase confidence in digital services. This could be an initial step towards the introduction of a private sector privacy…
Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2020
On October 1, 2020, the general minimum wage in Ontario will increase from $14.00 to $14.25 an hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates will also increase for the following employees: students: from $13.15 to $13.40 an hour liquor servers: from $12.20 to $12.45 an hour homeworkers: from $15.40 to $15.70…
Ontario Extends Orders Relating to COVID-19
On August 20, 2020, the Ontario government announced that most orders made as a result of COVID-19 are extended to September 22, 2020 (subject to exceptions below). These orders were initially made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and, with the end of the declared emergency on July 24, 2020, were extended under…