On November 17, 2009, Bill 177, the Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act, 2009, was reported as amended by the Standing Committee and was ordered for Third Reading. Debate on a Bill is limited at Third Reading and no amendments to its text may be moved at this stage. Therefore, it is likely that…
Business Operation: Ontario
Firefighters’ Presumptive Legislation Now Applies To Volunteers
Effective November 4, 2009, the Ontario Government has expanded its presumptive occupational disease coverage legislation for firefighters to volunteer and part-time firefighters and to fire inspectors. This coverage will apply on the same terms and for the same diseases, in accordance with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (“WSIA”). This change will have very significant…
Effective Pandemic Planning
Employers have a general obligation under health and safety law to take all reasonable precautions in the circumstances to protect their workers. What does this entail, however, in a pandemic situation, such as the one currently facing employers? In our May 1, 2009 FTR Now – “Employer Bulletin: Influenza A(H1N1)” – we discussed some of…
Bill 168, The Occupational Health And Safety Amendment Act (Violence And Harassment In The Workplace) 2009, Carried At Second Reading
On October 20, 2009, Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace) 2009 was debated and carried at Second Reading. The Bill has been Ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy by the Ontario Legislature. As you may know, the Committee review process can take days,…
New Rules of Civil Procedure
Effective January 1, 2010, the Rules of Civil Procedure governing all civil litigation matters brought in the Superior Court of Ontario will come into force. This FTR Now highlights some of the key changes that will impact the manner in which employment-related actions are litigated, including wrongful dismissal claims, constructive dismissal claims, and claims for…
MOL to Target Slips, Trips and Falls in a School Board Safety Blitz
The Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) has announced a series of safety blitzes scheduled for November of 2009 that will target slips, trips and falls (“Falls”), and that may affect your schools. Inspectors will visit schools to discuss Falls and to review plans to prevent Falls, particularly in parking lots [1], and will focus on assessing…
Ban on Hand-Held Devices And Display Screens Starts In October
In our FTR Now of September 24, 2009, “Cell Phone and Blackberry Restrictions For Drivers Are Coming Into Force: Is Your Workplace Ready?,” we provided you with a detailed overview of the new legislation restricting the use of hand-held mobile technology devices and presence of display screens while driving. Yesterday, the Ontario Government announced that…
School Board Update
IN THIS ISSUE 2009 Hicks Morley School Board Conference Teaching Assignments for Principals Cyberbullying Probationary Employees EA Travel Time WSIB LOE Benefits for Retirees Pay Equity Retiring Gratuities School Board Governance Grouped Classes 2009 HICKS MORLEY SCHOOL BOARD CONFERENCE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 On Friday, November 20, Hicks Morley will present its 2009 School…
Recent Developments under the AODA
It was a busy summer of new developments under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”), several of which employers and other organizations should note: the “Initial Proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard” was released for public comment; the “Final Proposed Accessible Information and Communications Standard” was submitted to the Minister for approval; the…
Kerry Decision to be Released this Friday August 7th
The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has announced that its decision in Nolan v. Kerry (Canada) Inc. will be released at 9:45 a.m. on Friday August 7, 2009. It is anticipated that the SCC decision will provide much needed guidance on a number of important issues, including: the use of pension fund assets to pay…