Federal Reforms Introduced to Prohibit Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity or Gender Expression

On May 17, 2016, the federal government introduced Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, proposed legislation adding gender identity and gender expression to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA). If passed, Bill C-16 would protect transgender and gender-diverse…

New Regulations Outline Details of Requirements Under Ontario’s Sexual Violence and Harassment Legislation for Colleges and Universities

The Ontario government has filed two regulations mandating the content of sexual violence policies which colleges and universities must develop and implement pursuant to the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015 (“Act”).

Federal Post – Third Edition

Along with the arrival of spring, we are pleased to bring you the first Federal Post edition of 2016, our newsletter designed exclusively for federally regulated employers…

Appellate Court Finds Settlement for Payment of Bonus Enforceable Despite Breach of Non-Compete Clause

The Court of Appeal recently upheld a motion judge’s finding that an employer was required to pay a bonus despite the fact that the dismissed employee was in breach of a non-compete clause. In Wilson v. Northwest Value Partners Inc., the parties entered into a settlement at mediation regarding Wilson’s claim for benefits (inclusive of…

Full Payout to End of Fixed Term Contract in Case of Early Termination, No Duty to Mitigate

In Howard v. Benson Group Inc. (The Benson Group Inc.), the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that in the absence of an express provision specifying a pre-determined notice period or pay in lieu (for early termination without cause), on the early termination of a fixed term contract an employee is entitled to the wages the…

Countdown to ORPP: Ontario Tables New Implementation Legislation

Long-awaited Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) legislation was introduced on Thursday, April 14, 2016, which, if passed in its present form, will provide the statutory framework and timeline for full ORPP implementation by January 1, 2020…

Ontario Budget Bill 2016 Passes

On April 13, 2016, the Ontario government passed Bill 173, Jobs for Today and Tomorrow Act (Budget Measures), 2016, omnibus legislation giving effect to initiatives contained in the Ontario Budget 2016. See our FTR Now of February 29, 2016, Ontario Budget 2016, for a detailed discussion of those initiatives of interest to employers, human resources professionals and…