On April 3, 2020, the Ontario government issued an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) that applies to service agencies which provide services and supports to adults with developmental disabilities. Under the terms of the order, service agencies shall and are authorized to take, with respect to staffing and work deployment, any reasonably necessary measures to respond to, prevent and alleviate the outbreak of COVID-19.
Business Operation: Ontario
Ontario Orders More Business Closures in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic; Clarifies Obligations of Businesses that Remain Open
On April 3, 2020, the Ontario government announced that more businesses must close because they are no longer considered essential in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses must close effective tomorrow, Saturday April 4, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
Retirement Homes Given Staffing Powers in Light of COVID-19
On April 2, 2020, the Ontario government issued an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act authorizing every retirement home and licensee (within the meaning of the Retirements Homes Act, 2010) to take all reasonable steps necessary to respond to, prevent and alleviate the outbreak of COVID-19 in a retirement home.
New Long-Term Care Homes Emergency Order Issued
On Friday, March 27, 2020, the Ontario government issued a second Emergency Order to specifically address the Long-Term Care Homes sector (O. Reg 95/20: Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes).
COVID-19 and Long-Term Care – Ontario Takes Significant Steps to Address Staffing Concerns
On Monday, March 23, 2020, the Ontario government issued an Emergency Order granting Ontario Health Service Providers broad authority to take all reasonable steps necessary to staff as needed to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has now taken two significant steps to grant similar authority to Long-Term Care home providers and Municipal Homes for the Aged to address the staffing issues which may arise due to the emerging pandemic.
Ontario’s Announcement about Closure of Non-Essential Businesses: Questions and Answers for Employers
On March 23, 2020 Premier Doug Ford announced that effective 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, all non-essential businesses will be ordered to close for 14 days, and possibly longer. This order is made further to the emergency declared on March 17, 2020 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Here is what employers need to consider now.
HRTO Orders Significant Remedies in Ontario Midwives Case
In Association of Ontario Midwives v. Ontario (Health and Long-Term Care), the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) affirmed that those who set compensation rates may be required to take proactive steps to ensure that sex-segregated workers are compensated in a way that is free of sex-based discrimination. It ordered, among other things, that the…
Focus on Health & Safety
In this FTR Now, which focuses on health and safety issues, we discuss two recent cases from the Ontario Court of Justice which suggest that there should be a shift in the approach to sentencing corporations convicted under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
Ontario Introduces Plan to Reform Home and Community Care Services
On February 25, 2020, the Ontario government tabled Bill 175, Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020 (Bill 175). The legislation is intended to improve funding and access to home and community care for patients.
Ontario Labour Relations Board Issues its First “Gig Economy” Decision
In its first “gig economy” decision, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (Board) has concluded that Foodora couriers are dependent contractors and therefore may unionize. Foodora is a web services company that provides an online marketplace platform connecting consumers to restaurants, through the use of couriers. Board’s Test for Dependent Contractor Status In Canadian Union of…