Ontario’s Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 Receives Royal Assent

On October 26, 2023, Ontario’s Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 (Bill 79) received Royal Assent. Bill 79 amends several statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act, 2009 (EPFNA). Changes introduced by Bill 79 include: These measures came…

New CRA Administrative Policy Will Affect Payroll Administration for Fully Remote Work Arrangements

In September 2023, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) published a new administrative policy that could impact the payroll deductions an employer must make in respect of employees who work fully remotely. The new policy will be effective January 1, 2024 and may require changes to the payroll tables applied to fully remote workers in 2024…

Advantage CPD: Access Requests Under MFIPPA – A Practical Guide for School Boards Webinar

Freedom of information (FOI) coordinators responding to access requests need to balance a wide range of issues, from clarifying requests and arranging reasonable searches to preparing fee estimates, all within tight time frames. This program addresses a number of the strategic and practical considerations which go into responding to requests under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

Federal Government Extends Consultation on Accessibility Standard on Employment

Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) has extended the period for interested stakeholders to provide comments on its draft Accessibility Standard on Employment (Standard). Interested stakeholders now have until October 31, 2023 to provide comments. The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) came into force on July 11, 2019, and the Accessible Canada Regulations (Regulations) made under the ACA…

Consultation Regarding the Director of Education Performance Appraisal

The Ministry of Education has announced that a new regulation may be proposed which would set out the requirements and process for monitoring and evaluating the performance of directors of education. The Ministry of Education has begun a consultation seeking input from stakeholders on this initiative. The details of the consultation are discussed below. Background…

A Practical Guide to Recognizing and Addressing Discrimination in the Workplace

This session focuses on recognizing, addressing and responding to discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination in the workplace is multi-faceted (including direct, indirect, and systemic discrimination, unconscious bias, microaggressions, retaliations and reprisals, conduct by exclusion and abuse of authority). Without proper identification, discrimination cannot be appropriately addressed and combatted. This session will provide attendees with the tools necessary to identify the various types of discrimination at play in the workplace, and will provide legal and practical takeaways and best practices for responding proactively and reactively.

Reminder to Employers: Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2023

A reminder to employers that on October 1, 2023, the Ontario government will increase the general provincial minimum wage from $15.50 to $16.55 per hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates will also increase on the same date for the following groups of employees: If you have any questions about your…

Workplace Investigation Training Workshop

This session focuses on investigation fundamentals. Attendees will learn the key takeaways from case law and best practices for investigating workplace incidents