The Metron Construction Corporation (“Metron”) project manager who oversaw the construction project on which a swing stage collapsed, resulting in the deaths of four workers and injury to a fifth, has been sentenced to 3.5 years in jail. In this FTR Now, we discuss the background to this important decision and its significance. On Christmas…
Industry: Arts & Sports
Workplace Law In Canada: A Primer
This Guide provides non-Canadians with an introduction to employment laws and regulations that affect businesses in Canada. It provides an overview of the main differences between Canadian and U.S. workplace laws. To obtain a copy please contact Knowledge Management.
New Mortality Tables in Effect for Ontario Commuted Value Calculations
On December 10, 2015, the Ontario government amended the Regulations under the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”) to require pension plans to use the new mortality tables when calculating commuted values (“CVs”) for Ontario members. The use of the new mortality assumptions, which are found under section 3500 of the Actuarial Standards Board Standards of Practice…
Deadline for Filing Amendments Relating to British Columbia’s PBSA Reform Extended
Significant reforms to the Pension Benefits Standards Act (“PBSA”) in British Columbia came into force on September 30, 2015. Originally, amendments to plans registered in British Columbia which reflect the new legislative requirements had to be filed by December 31, 2015. This week the British Columbia Financial Institutions Commission announced that the filing deadline will be extended to March 31,…
“Tips and Gratuities” Reforms to the ESA Effective June 10, 2016
On December 10, 2015, Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 With Respect to Tips and Other Gratuities, received Royal Assent, and accordingly, its reforms to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) will come into force on June 10, 2016 (i.e. 6 months after the Royal Assent date). As previously reported, the Bill 12…
Ontario Passes New Legislation Governing Tips and Gratuities
On December 7, 2015, the Ontario government passed Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 With Respect to Tips and Other Gratuities (“Bill 12”). Bill 12 which subsequently received Royal Assent on December 10, 2015, will come into force on June 10, 2016. It will prohibit employers from withholding, making deductions…
Ontario Passes Workplace Law Reforms
On December 10, 2015, the Ontario government passed Bill 109, the Employment and Labour Statute Law Amendment Act, 2015 and Bill 144, the Budget Measures Act, 2015, two pieces of legislation that implement a number of reforms to various workplace laws. Among other things, Bill 109 amends: the labour relations provisions of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (“FPPA”) to incorporate…
Appeal Court Upholds $20,000 Damages Award for Discrimination on the Basis of Family Status
In this latest decision which considers discrimination on the basis of family status due to childcare issues, the Court of Appeal for Ontario upheld a trial judge’s finding that an appellant employer breached both the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) and the Human Rights Code (“Code”) when it terminated the employment of the respondent employee…
Ontario Passes Tips and Gratuities Bill
On December 7, 2015, Bill 12 An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 With Respect to Tips and Other Gratuities passed Third Reading in the Ontario Legislature. The Bill will prohibit employers from withholding, making deductions from, or collecting tips or other gratuities from employees unless authorized to do so under the Employment Standards…
Court Examines Parties’ Intentions and Severability Clause in Upholding ESA-Only Termination Provision
Over the past few years, the Ontario Superior Court has rendered several decisions which consider the enforceability of termination notice provisions in employment contracts that provide only for the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) minimum entitlements. Depending on the specific wording used, many of these provisions have been held to be unenforceable for non-compliance with…