On March 22, 2017, the federal government tabled its 2017 Budget, Building A Strong Middle Class (#Budget2017). The Budget provides an economic and fiscal overview and introduces a series of programs, reforms and spending initiatives which focus on…
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2017 Federal Budget Released
On March 22, 2017, the federal government tabled its 2017 Budget, Building A Strong Middle Class (#Budget2017)…
FTR Quarterly – Issue 5, Volume 1
This year, 2017, marks an important milestone in the history of our firm. In 1972, Bob Hicks, Colin Morley, Fred Hamilton, Bruce Stewart, Tom Storie, Chris Riggs, Harvey Beresford and John Murray were the founding members of our firm and started their practice as Hicks, Morley, Hamilton, Stewart, Storie…
Ontario Human Rights Commission Publishes Inquiry Report on Sexual & Gender-Based Dress Codes
One year after releasing a new policy on sexualized and gender-specific dress codes, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (Commission) has released findings from its inquiry into related practices at certain large restaurant chains operating in the province. Learn more about it in this FTR Now…
Appellate Court Finds Labour Arbitrator has Jurisdiction in EI Premium Reduction Case
In a recent decision, the Ontario Court of Appeal underscored the importance of judicial deference to the arbitration and grievance process…
Appellate Court Finds Termination Clause Unenforceable for Breach of ESA
The recent dismissal by the Supreme Court of Canada of an employee’s leave to appeal an appellate decision which upheld the enforceability of a minimum standards-only termination clause was good news for employers…
Ontario Proposes Key Reforms to the Framework for Collective Bargaining in the Education Sector
Significant proposed reforms to the existing framework for collective bargaining in the education sector may change the way school boards and unions negotiate agreements – and could impact the outcomes achieved at the table. Find out what may be in store…
Executive Compensation Program Implementation – Lessons Learned to Date
Much has happened since the Ontario government released Regulation 304/16 (Regulation), made under the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act, in September 2016. The Regulation provided long-anticipated direction to broader public sector employers…
Hello 2017! New for Pension Plan Administration in Ontario
More change is coming to the administration of pension plans in Ontario. Reforms to pension legislation have been ongoing since 2009 – and with three recent developments under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (PBA) effective in 2017…
Is a Pier a Road for the Purpose of Overtime Pay Entitlement?
As any employer will know, the overtime rules in the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) contain a myriad of exclusions that are difficult to interpret at the best of times. However, emerging case law provides new guidance…