In Morris v. Solar Brokers Canada Corp., the Ontario Superior Court of Justice approved a negotiated settlement of $62,000 in a class action arising from the alleged misclassification of individuals as independent contractors. The Court also approved class counsel fees in the amount of $20,000, leaving $42,000 to be distributed amongst the class. As a…
Category: Employment Law
Significant Changes to Ontario Policing Legislation Coming Into Force April 1, 2024
The Ontario government has proclaimed into force key provisions of Bill 68, Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019 which enacts the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (Act). Effective April 1, 2024, the Ontario Police Services Act, 1990 will be repealed and replaced with the Act. For further information about these changes, see our FTR…
Ontario to Introduce Legislation Banning Requirements for Canadian Work Experience in Job Postings
On November 9, 2023, the Ontario government announced its intention to introduce legislation which it states would be aimed at protecting internationally trained workers. If passed, the legislation would ban employers from requiring Canadian work experience as a requirement in job postings and application forms. The government also announced that it will be “proposing changes…
Ontario Announces Proposed Changes to Employment Requirements, Including Disclosure of Salary Ranges in Job Postings
On November 6, 2023, the Ontario government announced it will introduce legislation to require Ontario employers to disclose salary ranges in job postings. The legislation would also require employers to disclose whether they used artificial intelligence during the hiring process. Other proposed changes include: Further, the government announced that it will be conducting consultations on…
Ontario Government Announces 2024 WSIB Premium Rate
On October 31, 2023, the Ontario government announced the average premium rate businesses pay to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will remain at $1.30 per $100 of insurable payroll for 2024. The WSIB provides wage-loss benefits and medical coverage to Ontario employees and is completely funded by employer premiums. Premium rates for employers…
Worker’s Compensation Updates for Ontario and British Columbia
The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and WorkSafeBC have made the following changes that may be of interest to employers. Ontario The WSIB has made changes to accident reporting timelines and the determination of average earnings for apprentices. Specifically, Operational Policy Manual 15-01-02 (Employers’ Initial Accident-Reporting Obligations) and Operational Policy Manual 11-02-01 (No…
Ontario Consultation on the Scope of the Resident Support Personnel Role in Long-Term Care
Ontario’s Ministry of Long-Term Care (Ministry) has issued a consultation on the scope of the resident support personnel role in long-term care homes in the province. The consultation is related to recent regulatory changes to staffing qualifications in the long-term care sector. (For more information on the regulatory changes, please see our Human Resources Legislative…
Reminder to Employers: Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2023
A reminder to employers that on October 1, 2023, the Ontario government will increase the general provincial minimum wage from $15.50 to $16.55 per hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates will also increase on the same date for the following groups of employees: If you have any questions about your…
Ontario Publishes Regulatory Changes to Staffing Qualifications in the Long-Term Care Sector
Ontario has published changes to the qualifications of persons hired as personal support workers (PSWs) or to provide personal support services in long-term care homes. Ontario Regulation 246/22 (O. Reg. 246/22) under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2001 prescribes, among other things, residents’ rights, plans of care, processes for reporting complaints and nursing and personal…
Employers Take Note: Employees Entitled to Paid Time Off to Vote in Upcoming Toronto Mayoral By-Election
The Toronto mayoral by-election will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023, and voting hours will run from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Employers should be aware that under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (Act), all employees who are eligible to vote in the election are entitled to three consecutive hours during voting hours on…