Evan Howard

Evan advises employers and plan administrators on pension and benefits issues with a focus on delivering advice that is legally sound, strategic, practical and business-focused.

Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses

On April 15, 2026, the Government of Canada announced that it had tabled draft regulations under the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act (Act). Although the draft regulations have not yet been publicly released, the Government published a Description of the Proposed Regulations, which forms the basis of this summary.

Ontario Government Proposes to Shorten Construction Industry Open Periods

On April 20, 2026, the Ontario government announced the introduction of the Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026, which would, if passed, contain important potential changes to the construction industry’s “open period” which all construction employers should be aware of. Later that same day, Bill 105, Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act,…

OHSA Changes to Head Protection, Elevated Work Platform, and Respirator Requirements Coming

On April 20, 2026, Ontario made a series of changes which will impact construction projects and workplaces handling Designated Substances. These changes introduce Type 2 headwear requirements on construction projects, impose new, detailed training requirements for workers operating mobile elevating work platforms, and integrate certain CSA/ANSI standards into Regulations made under the Occupational Health and…

Highlights of the 2026 Ontario Budget

Ontario’s 2026 Budget — A Plan to Protect Ontario — is here, and employers, HR teams, and pension plan administrators will want to pay attention. Read our take on what Ontario employers need to know.

WSIB Claims Management – A Detailed Overview of the Life of a Claim

Managing WSIB claims has become increasingly complex. Many issues are impacting employers’ WSIB claims costs, including unsuccessful return-to-work efforts, complicated injuries, psychological conditions, pre-existing conditions, and a lack of monitoring and progress. This workshop will provide a detailed overview of the life of a WSIB claim, along with strategies to better manage these challenging issues.

Divisional Court Reinforces Tradition of Judicial Deference to Ontario’s Labour Relations Board

Judicial deference to the OLRB remains firmly intact, especially in construction labour relations. In this article, Thomas Trudell reviews a recent Divisional Court decision affirming the OLRB’s authority in construction work assignment disputes and its long‑standing approach to jurisdictional issues.