On April 8, 2019, the federal government introduced Bill C-97, Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1, for first reading. Bill C-97 is omnibus legislation enacting certain measures outlined in the 2019 Federal Budget. Below are some of the key amendments of interest to employers, pension plan administrators and human resources professionals.
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Health Care Reform Bill Passes
On April 18, 2019, Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, 2019, passed as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy and received Royal Assent. Bill 74 provides for the creation of a central agency, Ontario Health, to oversee the health care system across the province, as well as the creation of integrated care…
Ontario Budget 2019: Protecting What Matters Most – Key Human Resources Highlights
On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its 2019 Budget, Protecting What Matters Most (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 100, the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 (Bill 100).
The Budget outlines key initiatives around broader public sector compensation, reforms within the healthcare sector, registered pension plans, freedom of information, and more. In this FTR Now, we highlight the proposals that are of particular interest to employers, benefits plan administrators and human resources professionals.
Ontario Budget 2019 Tabled
On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its Budget 2019, “Protecting What Matters Most.” We are reviewing the Budget and an FTR Now highlighting initiatives of interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators will be available shortly on our website.
Ontario Government to Consult on Public Sector Compensation
On April 4, 2019, the President of the Treasury Board, Peter Bethlenfalvy, delivered a speech entitled The Path to Balance: Protecting What Matters Most in which he announced that the Ontario government will engage in consultations with public sector employers and bargaining agents on how to best manage compensation growth in the public sector. In…
Bill 66 Passes, Amends ESA, LRA and PBA
On April 3, 2019, Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019, received Royal Assent. Bill 66 is omnibus legislation which amends various statutes, including the following employment-related statutes: Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) The ESA has been amended to remove the need for employers to obtain the approval of the Director of Employment Standards in…
Appellate Court Finds Preferential Treatment of WSIB Claimants in Workplace Not Discriminatory
The Ontario Divisional Court recently released Carter v. FCA Canada Inc and Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, a decision which affirms that differential treatment between employees with work-related injuries and employees with non-work-related injuries is not discriminatory under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code). The applicant, who had a non-work-related injury, sought to return to…
Important Changes to Policing in Ontario
By Glenn Christie
With the passage of Bill 68, Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019 (Act), on March 26, 2019, policing in Ontario is set to undergo some important changes. These changes are not limited in their effect to police service boards, police associations and individuals who work in policing. They are also very important for municipalities and the wider community.
ESA Compliance Checklist
Employers are required to comply with the minimum standards set out in the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). In this Checklist, we provide a general overview of an employer’s ESA compliance obligations, along with checklists to assist you in assessing your degree of compliance.
Coverage for Medical Cannabis under Ontario’s Workers’ Compensation System [Video]
The legalization of recreational cannabis, which came into effect on October 17, 2018, has raised many questions for employers about cannabis use in the workplace, as well as potential coverage of cannabis under benefit plans. In this video, Mariana Kamenetsky and Kathryn Meehan talk about coverage for medical cannabis under Ontario’s workers’ compensation system.