Arbitrators Consider Whether Statutory Freeze Applies to MOU Provisions

In an award dated July 30, 2015 [1] (“CSDCEO Award”), Arbitrator Rowan held that the 97-day delay in salary grid movement for teachers, imposed in various teacher collective agreements by a centrally agreed Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”), was subject to the statutory freeze in the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (the “LRA”). Therefore, the provision could not…

School Board Management Conference

Our School Board Conference will cover a wide variety of topics relevant to Directors of Education, Trustees, Supervisory Officers and Human Resources Practitioners. We will take you first on a “whirlwind tour” of recent developments in labour, employment and education law. This will be followed by a plenary session on critical issues concerning the changing landscape in school board collective bargaining. Following a buffet lunch, we will invite you to attend two afternoon workshops of your choice.

2015 Summer Edition

FOCUS ON HUMAN RIGHTS Beyond wrongful dismissal LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS Common pitfalls: use of expert witnesses Class actions beyond certification – the case for defence through trial PROFILE A litigator at heart Download PDF

Ontario Court of Justice Dismisses OHSA Charges Where Worker’s Unauthorized Act Led to Injury

In a recent decision, R. v. ABS Machining Inc., the Ontario Court of Justice dismissed Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) charges against an employer where the injured worker’s unexpected and unauthorized act led to his injury. The decision confirms that employers can succeed in defending charges on the basis of due diligence when workers…

Employer Investigations Held to Standard of Reasonableness, not Correctness or Perfection

In a recent decision, Zambito v. LIUNA Local 183, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“Tribunal”) provided some useful guidance on internal employer investigations. It reiterated that while it is extremely important for employers to respond seriously and promptly to all allegations of discrimination and harassment, they will be not be held to a standard 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…

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…