The federal government has announced the federal minimum wage will increase on April 1, 2025. In this HRLU, Hicks Morley’s Danika Winkel shares key details federally regulated employers need to know.
Category: Legislative Updates
Federal Government Consultation on Draft Accessibility Standards
Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) has published a draft Accessibility Standard on Emergency Measures (Draft Standard) as part of its mandate under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). Background The ACA came into force on July 11, 2019, and the Accessible Canada Regulations (Regulations) made under the ACA came into force on December 13, 2021. The ACA…
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…
Municipalities Take Note: Ontario Regulation Expanding Strong Mayor Powers Comes into Effect
The Ontario government has announced it is expanding strong mayor powers to 26 additional municipalities in the province. The province originally granted strong mayoral powers to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa with the passing of Bill 3, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 (Bill 3) on September 8, 2022 and the coming into force…
Employers Take Note: Incoming Changes to Competition Act
Employers are reminded that amendments made to the Competition Act by Bill C-19, Budget Implementation Act, 2022, No. 1 (Bill C-19) will come into force on June 23, 2023. Bill C-19 amends the existing criminal conspiracy provisions of the Competition Act to make it a criminal offence for an employer to conspire, agree or arrange…
Ontario Announces Changes to Mandatory Working at Heights Training Requirements for Programs and Providers
On May 17, 2023, Ontario announced changes to the training requirements for working at heights. The province has updated both the program and provider standards for mandatory working at heights training, noting that falling from heights is one of the leading causes of workplace fatality in a number of industries including construction. Currently, workers on…
Ontario Tables Bill to Create Integrated Community Health Services Centres, and More
On February 21, 2023, the Ontario government tabled Bill 60, Your Health Act, 2023 for First Reading. The government states that the objective of the Bill is to reduce wait times for surgeries, procedures and diagnostic imaging ‘while enabling its new “As of Right” rules to automatically recognize the credentials of health care workers registered in other provinces and territories.’ If passed, Bill 60 would enact the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Act, 2023 (Proposed Act) which would create integrated community health services centres, among other things.
Ontario Court Approves Settlement in First Volunteer Misclassification Class Action
In Montaque v. Handa Travel Student Trip Ltd., the Ontario Superior Court recently approved a settlement in what the Court has stated is Canada’s first “volunteer misclassification” class action. Factual Background In 2020, a class action was certified against four related companies that operated a travel business selling vacation tours to students. The certified class…
Federal Government Introduces Amending Legislation to Support CPP Enhancement
On October 6, 2016, the federal government introduced Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Act and the Income Tax Act, new omnibus legislation to support Canada Pension Plan (CPP) enhancement. If passed, Bill C-26 would, among other things, amend the CPP to: increase the maximum…