Premier Ford recently signaled that he is hopeful another extension of the declared emergency made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) will not be needed. Presumably to this end, on July 7, 2020, the government introduced Bill 195, Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2000 (Bill 195) which, if passed, will enable it to continue Orders made under sections 7.0.2 or 7.1 of the EMCPA even after the declared emergency comes to an end.
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The Divisional Court Affirms Employers May Face Substantial Penalties for Failing to Respond to Sex Discrimination and Gender Pay Inequity
In its recent decision Ontario v Association of Ontario Midwives, the Ontario Divisional Court upheld two decisions of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario pertaining to sex discrimination and pay equity, reaffirming that employers have an obligation to take proactive steps to ensure that sex-segregated workers are compensated free from sex discrimination and that a…
Ontario Issues Orders Relating to Stage 3 Reopening: What You Need to Know
On July 13, 2020, the Ontario government filed two Orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act regarding Stage 3 of the reopening of the province. The first Order, Stages of Reopening, is a new regulation that identifies which regions of the province are at Stage 1, 2 or 3 of the reopening plan.
Ontario Announces Stage 3 Reopening for Certain Regions
On Monday, July 13, the Ontario government announced that 24 regions in Ontario are moving to the Stage 3 of the provincial re-opening plans effective Friday, July 17, 2020. The Orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act giving effect to this announcement have not yet been published and we will provide further updates on the Stage 3 reopening as may be necessary. In order that you may continue your Return to Work planning, however, here is what we know as of today.
Amendments to Canada Labour Code Relating to Interns Soon to be In Force; CHRT Seeks Input on New Rules of Procedure
In this Federal Post, we discuss incoming changes to the Canada Labour Code regarding internships in federal workplaces. We also discuss a public consultation initiated by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on its new proposed Rules of Procedure.
Face Masks in Toronto’s Enclosed Public Spaces – The New Normal
As of July 7, 2020 persons in enclosed public spaces in the City of Toronto must wear properly fitting face masks or face coverings that cover their mouth, nose and chin.
OMERS Announces Significant Plan Amendments, Including Amendments to Support Members Affected by COVID-19
Participating employers in the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) should be aware of five amendments to the OMERS Primary Pension Plan (Primary Plan) approved by the OMERS Sponsors Corporation Board (SC Board) on June 24, 2020. The changes will be of interest to employers in the municipal and school board sectors with employees who participate in OMERS and include several amendments to address COVID-19-related issues. In addition, two non-COVID-19-related amendments were adopted, including a major change to eligibility for non-full-time employees.
Supreme Court of Canada Dismisses Uber Appeal – Proposed Class Action Can Now Proceed in Ontario Courts
On June 26, 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada released Uber Technologies Inc. v. Heller and dismissed an appeal of the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision which held that the arbitration clause in Uber’s standard form services agreement (Agreement) was invalid both because it was unconscionable and because it contracted out of mandatory provisions of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). We previously reported on the Court of Appeal decision.
Federal Updates: Extension for Temporary Layoffs, Workplace Harassment and Violence Regime in Force on January 1, 2021
In the last week, the federal government announced two significant developments which will impact federal workplaces. First, it has made changes to the Canada Labour Standards Regulations to extend the period for recalling employees placed on temporary layoff because of COVID-19…
Toronto and Peel Region Moving to Stage 2 of Re-Openings
The Ontario government has announced that the City of Toronto and Peel Region will move to Stage 2 of re-openings on June 24, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. For a summary of the conditions and restrictions on businesses re-opening, see our Human Resources Legislative Update post of June 9, 2020, Ontario Announces Stage 2 Regional Reopening….