The Ontario Court of Appeal rules that employers have a statutory duty to investigate claims of harassment and have the authority to discipline off-duty conduct when it manifests in the workplace.
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Federal Government Publishes Revised Standard on Accessible Employment under the Accessible Canada Act
On May 29, 2025, Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) announced its publication of a revised Accessibility Standard on Employment (Standard) under its mandate pursuant to the Accessible Canada Act (Act). The revised Standard, CAN/ASC-1.1:2024 (REV-2025), replaces the original version released in December 2024. Background The Act came into force on July 11, 2019, establishing ASC as…
Ontario Introduces Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025
On May 28, 2025, the Ontario government introduced Bill 30, the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (Bill 30). Bill 30 continues the province’s ongoing “Working for Workers” legislative initiative, proposing significant amendments to various employment-related statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
Employers Take Note: WSIB Suspends Appeals and Extends Time Limits as Over 3,600 Unionized Workers Begin Rolling Strikes
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has suspended its appeals processes and extended objection time limits as over 3,600 unionized workers commenced rolling strikes on May 22, 2025, following failed contract negotiations with the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU). The labour disruption has prompted significant operational changes affecting workplace parties seeking to challenge WSIB…
Ontario Court of Appeal Upholds Termination Clause Limiting Employee to ESA Minimums in Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc.
The Ontario Court of Appeal has delivered a significant decision in Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc., wherein the Court confirmed that properly drafted termination clauses can limit employees to only their statutory minimum entitlements under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) upon termination.
Alberta Court Permits Disclosure of City’s Workplace Sexual Misconduct Class-Action Settlement, Revealing $9.5 Million Payment to 155 Women
The Court of King’s Bench of Alberta has permitted disclosure of settlement details in a class action lawsuit against the City of Leduc, revealing a payment of over $9.5 million to 155 female employees who experienced workplace sexual misconduct. This case represents both one of the highest compensation per person for workplace sexual misconduct claims…
No Presumption Without Exposure: WSIAT Reverses WSIB Entitlement for Mesothelioma, Finding No Evidence of Asbestos Exposure in Caretaker Role
In a recent decision, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) found that a caretaker’s duties at a large public sector employer did not involve asbestos exposure.
Arbitrator Dismisses Faculty Grievance over Bill 124 Wage Dispute: No Arbitral Jurisdiction Without Reopener Provision in Collective Agreement
In a recent labour arbitration decision, Arbitrator William Kaplan dismissed a grievance filed against Wilfrid Laurier University (University) by the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (the Association) on behalf of its Contract Teaching Faculty (CTF) bargaining unit. This decision provides important guidance on the limits of an arbitrator’s jurisdiction in addressing legislative constraints on collective…
Ontario Announces Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025
The Ontario government introduced Bill 2, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025. Framed as a defensive strategy, Bill 2 aims to boost interprovincial trade in response to U.S. tariff pressures.
Municipalities Take Note: Ontario Proposing to Expand Strong Mayor Powers to 169 Additional Municipalities
The Ontario government is proposing to expand Strong Mayor powers to 169 additional municipalities, reshaping local governance across the province. In this Human Resources Legislative Update, Jamie Burns outlines what these changes mean for the future of municipal decision-making.