On November 04, 2025, the federal government tabled its 2025 budget, “Canada Strong“ (budget). While focused on economic spending, infrastructure, and housing, the budget also introduced several significant initiatives impacting employers, pension plan administrators, and human resources professionals. We have summarized the most significant of these announcements below. Labour and Employment Employment Insurance (EI) Retirement…
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Less Paperwork, More Time: Licensing Period for Temporary Help Agencies and Recruiters Extended to Two Years
In this FTR Now, Andrew Movrin and Jessica Toldo break down the recent two-year extension to temporary help agencies’ and recruiters’ licensing, and what organizations should be mindful of.
Federal Government Implements Extensions to Temporary Employment Insurance Relief Measures in Response to Tariffs
In this FTR Now, Andrew Easto and Bayley Winkel discuss the extension to Employment Insurance measures now in affect and how they may impact both employers and employees.
Lessons in Labour Relations for School Board Employers
Recent arbitration rulings and initiatives are reshaping how Ontario school boards interpret key employment and education provisions. In this School Board Update, Brittany Bates, Jordynne Hislop and Vincent Panetta will review the decisions and discuss how they provide guidance for school boards in refining policy frameworks.
When Last Chance Truly Means Last Chance: Arbitrator Upholds Termination Over Unauthorized Absence
Hicks Morley’s Madeline Lusk examines why an employer’s decision to terminate after an employee breached a last chance agreement was upheld.
School Boards Take Note: Arbitrator Finds Class Size Maxima Still Apply to Mainstream Classes with Special Needs Students Expecting to Receive Less than Full Credit
In this School Board Update, Hicks Morley’s Michael Hines and Brittany Bates review the recent decision in Avon Maitland District School Board v Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, where Arbitrator Robert Herman concluded that standard class size maxima pursuant to the collective agreement still apply even when mainstream classes include special needs students expecting to receive less than full credit.
Federal Government Extends Temporary Employment Insurance Relief Measures in Response to Tariffs
Temporary employment insurance relief measures extended – in this FTR Now, Natasha Monkman and Andrew Easto provide an update on the recent announcement by the Federal Government designed to support employers in continued response to US Tariffs.
Arbitrator Finds Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and Discipline for Non-Compliance Reasonable in Ontario Nurses’ Association v. Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
Are mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies in hospitals reasonable? Arbitrator says “yes” in Ontario Nurses’ Association v. Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. In this FTR Now, Hicks Morley’s Andrew Zabrovsky and Amanda Cohen discuss the reasoning of each party and review the decision.
Ontario Launches the Protect Ontario Financial Program with $1 Billion in Support to Sectors Impacted by Ongoing Tariff Disputes
How does Ontario’s new program look out for your business in the face of ongoing U.S. tariffs? In this FTR Now, Hicks Morley’s Mornelle Lee discusses the implication of the program in today’s economic context and actions employers can take now to be ready for the program.
Ontario Superior Court Upholds Termination Clause Limiting Employee to ESA Minimums in Li v. Wayfair Canada Inc.
Is ‘At Any Time’ Still Enforceable Post-Dufault? The Ontario Superior Court says “yes” in Li v. Wayfair Canada Inc. In our latest FTR Now, Hicks Morley’s Edward O’Dwyer and Kelly Brennan review the case and provide key takeaways for employers.