On October 28, 2015, Bill 52, Protection of Public Participation Act, 2014, passed Third Reading. Bill 52 amends the Courts of Justice Act by adding a section regarding Prevention of Proceedings that Limit Freedom of Expression on Matters of Public Interest (Gag Proceedings). As stated in the Bill, the purpose of the provision is: (a) to encourage individuals…
Industry: Construction
Ontario Introduces Legislation to Address Sexual Violence and Harassment
On October 27, 2015, the Ontario government tabled new legislation to address sexual violence and harassment. If passed, the proposed measures in Bill 132, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015 (“Act”), would, among other things, require publicly assisted colleges and universities and private career…
2015 Federal Election Update: ORPP or CPP – Which Will it be?
Editor’s Note: Following publication of this communication, the Ontario government announced that the first wave of ORPP implementation will be delayed by one year to January 1, 2018. Please be sure to read our FTR Now of February 17, 2016 for updated information on this significant development, or contact your regular Hicks Morley lawyer for…
Ontario Invites Submissions on Closing Gender Wage Gap
On October 8, 2015, the Ontario government invited input from individuals and organizations to assist it in developing a strategy to close the wage gap between men and women. In this FTR Now, we review the government’s initiative, its invitation for submissions and how Ontario employers can provide their feedback. THE CONSULTATION PROCESS By way…
ESA Provisions Imposing Shared Liability for Temporary Help Agencies and Their Clients Coming into Force
On November 20, 2015, amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) which affect Ontario’s temporary help industry and its clients will come into force. The amendments were contained in Bill 18, Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014, which we previously discussed in our FTR Now of July 21, 2014, Ontario Reintroduces Legislation…
Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2015
On October 1, 2015, the general minimum wage in Ontario will increase from $11.00 to $11.25 an hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates for students, liquor servers, hunting and fishing guides and homeworkers will increase on the same date.
Federal Election 2015: Employers’ Obligation to Provide Paid Time Off to Vote
A federal election has been called for October 19, 2015. Under the Canada Elections Act (“Act“) all employees who are electors – Canadian citizens who are 18 years of age or older – are entitled to three (3) consecutive hours on election day during voting hours to cast their vote. In this FTR Now, we…
An Update on WSIB Rate Framework Reform
In March 2015, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) released a preliminary Rate Framework (“Proposed Framework”) which, if adopted, would fundamentally change the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets their premium rates (see our FTR Now of April 17, 2015 “WSIB Rate Framework Reform: Stakeholder Input Invited”). At the same time,…
New Temporary Foreign Worker Regulations Impose Monetary Penalties and Bans on Employers for Non-Compliance
Effective December 1, 2015, new Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (“Amending Regulation”) made under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (“Act”) will impose certain penalties on employers who are not in compliance with requirements of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (“TFWP”). There have been recent changes to the TFWP, including the imposition of…
New CRA Technical Direction Published for Health and Welfare Trusts
The Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) has posted an updated technical direction regarding Health and Welfare Trusts. Effective July 27, 2015, Income Tax Folio S2-F1-C1: Health and Welfare Trusts replaces and cancels CRA’s prior administrative position, as outlined in Interpretation Bulletin IT–85R2, Health and Welfare Trusts for Employees. The new Technical Direction incorporates a number of…