On June 2, 2020, the Ontario government extended the declared emergency to June 30, 2020. This extension follows the government’s announcement on May 26, 2020 to extend most of the emergency orders currently in force. For details about the current orders, see our Human Resources Legislative Update post The Orders Made Under the Emergency Management…
Business Operation: Ontario
Ontario Issues Order Relating to Management of Retirement Homes Where Residents at Risk Due to COVID-19
On May 29, 2020, the Ontario government filed an Order made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act entitled the Management of Retirement Homes in Outbreak (Order). The Order authorizes the Registrar under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 (Act) to issue a management order under section 91(1) of that Act (Registrar’s Order) where there…
New Order Clarifies Scope of Pandemic Pay
On April 25, 2019, the Ontario government announced that it would be providing temporary pandemic pay to frontline workers fighting COVID-19. At the time, we observed that there were some key unknown elements about pandemic pay that required further direction from the government.
Ontario Government Provides Temporary Relief from ESA Termination and Severance Provisions in Response to COVID-19
On Friday, May 29, 2020, the Ontario government published a new regulation under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) that is intended to provide temporary relief from the ESA’s termination and severance provisions for employers whose operations have been shut down or otherwise curtailed by COVID-19 – O. Reg. 228/20, Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL Regulation).
New Regulation to Provide Temporary Relief from ESA Termination Provisions
Earlier today, the Ontario government published a new regulation under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) that is intended to provide temporary relief from the ESA’s termination provisions for employers whose operations have been shut down or otherwise curtailed by COVID-19.
Appellate Court Strikes Pleading for Failure to Comply with Production Obligations
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld the decision of a motion judge to strike out a statement of defence as a remedy for repeated failures to comply with judicial orders to produce requested relevant documents. In Falcon Lumber Limited v. 2480375 Ontario Inc. (GN Mouldings and Doors), the Court articulates the core principles and…
Ontario Extends Emergency Orders to June 9, 2020
On May 26, 2020 the Ontario government extended most of the emergency orders currently in force under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to June 9, 2020 (O. Reg. 226/20). Some of the emergency orders in place include the closure of non-essential businesses, restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and rules…
Ontario Proposes Regulations on Interoperability Specifications that Pertain to Digital Health Assets Selected, Developed or Used by Health Information Custodians under PHIPA
On May 22, 2020, Ontario’s Minister of Health (MOH) issued a notice of proposed regulation pertaining to interoperability specifications for digital health assets under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA). Under the proposed regulation, a “digital health asset” (DHA) means a product or service that uses electronic means to collect, use, modify, disclose,…
FOI Reconsideration Order Highlights Important Timing Issue for Ontario Institutions
On May 14th, 2020, the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario dismissed a request for reconsideration based on an asserted change of circumstances, a somewhat common happening given the lengthy period of time it now takes to process a freedom of information appeal.
Private Member’s Bill Introduces COVID-19 as a Presumptive Occupational Disease under the WSIA
On May 19, 2020, Bill 191, Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act (Presumption Respecting COVID-19), 2020 was tabled by a Private Member and carried on First Reading in the Ontario Legislature.