On April 26, 2023, Arbitrator Robert Herman released his award in Lakeridge Health and CUPE, Local 6364. The award addressed two policy grievances and four individual grievances arising from the hospital’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. This is the first Ontario arbitration decision involving a hospital that has addressed the reasonableness of a vaccination policy which…
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Ontario Proposes Significant Amendments Impacting School Board Sector
On April 17, 2023, the Ontario government introduced Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 for First Reading. If passed, Bill 98 would amend the Education Act, the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 and the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007. The government has invited interested stakeholders to comment on the proposed amendments…
Did You Ask to Share That? Arbitrator Comments on School Board’s Ability to Share Medical Information with Third Party
In Toronto Catholic District School Board v Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1328, Arbitrator Goodfellow recently issued a local arbitration decision concerning the administration of the Board’s sick leave and short-term disability plans. The hearing related to multiple grievances all touching on similar issues. Arbitrator Goodfellow specifically answered two questions: (i) Could the Board…
Ontario Introduces Bill 91, Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023 and Announces Additional Amendments to Reduce Red Tape
On April 3, 2023, the Ontario government announced a range of measures related to pensions and employment (amongst other matters) in the province. On the same day, the government introduced Bill 91, Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023 (Bill 91) to implement some of those measures. Bill 91 and the additional measures are of…
Ontario Issues Regulations for New Requirements for Construction Sites
On March 15, 2023, Ontario announced proposed changes to jobsite requirements in the construction sector. On March 29, the government filed proposed regulatory changes to amend the Construction Projects Regulation (the Regulation) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The proposed regulatory changes will amend section 21 of the Regulation, which addresses protective clothing, equipment…
Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2023
On March 31, 2023, the Ontario government announced that the general provincial minimum wage will increase from $15.50 to $16.55 per hour on October 1, 2023. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates will also increase on the same date for the following groups of employees:
Federal Government Tables 2023 Budget
On March 28, 2023, the federal government tabled its 2023 budget, “A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future.” The Budget covers a wide array of initiatives. While health and dental care, efforts to make life more affordable, and investments in green energy are key areas of focus, the Budget includes several proposals…
Federal Government to Extend Temporary Measures under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
On March 27, 2023, the federal government announced the extension of temporary measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. As stated in the announcement, the extended measures include: The government also announced that the TFW Program will begin transitioning to the LMIA Online Portal as the primary method to…
Paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave Ending March 31, 2023
On March 23, 2023, the Ontario government tabled its 2023 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario. Of significance to employers, the Budget announced that the paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (Paid IDEL) will expire on March 31, 2023. By way of background, the Paid IDEL is a form of paid leave available under the Employment…
Federal Minimum Wage to Increase on April 1, 2023
On March 21, 2023, the federal government announced that the federal minimum wage will increase from $15.55 to $16.65 per hour on April 1, 2023. The increase applies to the federally regulated private sectors, including banks, postal and courier services, telecommunications, and interprovincial air, rail, road and marine transportation. Federally regulated private sector employers are…