Court of Appeal Reiterates that a Sincerely Held Belief is Insufficient to Found a Violation of the Charter

In an important decision which weighs competing rights, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal on the basis that the appellant had failed to provide any evidence that the inclusion of what he referred to as “false teachings” in the school curriculum interfered with or violated his or his children’s religious freedom. Learn more in this School Board Update.

Bill 148 Receives Royal Assent

On November 27, 2017, Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, received Royal Assent. Many provisions of  Bill 148 come into force on January 1, 2018, including the amendments to the Labour Relations Act, 1995. There are several exceptions to the general January 1, 2018 coming into force date for the Employment Standards Act,…

Bill 148 Passes

On November 22, 2017, the Ontario government passed Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, legislation that significantly changes workplace laws in Ontario. For more information, see our recent FTR Nows (which are best read in conjunction with one another): More Changes to Bill 148 after Second Committee Review (November 17, 2017) Big Changes…

Regulations Amending the Old Age Security Act Regulations Released

On November 15, 2017, amendments to the Old Age Security Regulations (Regulations) were published in the Canada Gazette to: Phase in automatic enrollment for Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits, alongside enrollment for Old Age Security (OAS), by the 65th birthday of eligible individuals Revert the age of eligibility for OAS benefits to age 65 from…

Regulations Amending the Employment Insurance Regulations Released

Significant amendments to the Employment Insurance Regulations have been filed and were published in the Canada Gazette on November 15, 2017 to implement the availability of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits for the care of critically ill adult family members and the option to extend parental leaves, initiatives outlined in the 2017 Federal Budget. The changes…

Ontario Amends PBA and PRPP Regulations; Introduces Legislation Affecting Police Sector Asset Transfers

Annuity Purchases on Wind Up On November 3, 2017, O. Reg. 412/17, amending Regulation 909 (General) made under the Pension Benefits Act (PBA), was filed. As discussed in our FTR Now, Ontario’s Bill 70: The New Face of Pension Regulation Revealed, amendments will be made to the PBA requiring administrators appointed by the Superintendent of…

Ontario Introduces Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Legislation

On November 1, 2017, the Ontario government tabled Bill 174, Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017 omnibus legislation which would, if passed, regulate the cultivation, sale, distribution and consumption of cannabis in Ontario, enact the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017  and make amendments to the Highway Traffic Act relating to impairment by cannabis and road safety. Among other things, the Bill provides the provincial framework for the federal Bill C-45, Cannabis Act.

Education Law in Canada: A Guide for Teachers and Administrators Published

Lauri Reesor and Brenda Bowlby recently published a chapter on Special Education Law in the text, Education Law in Canada: A Guide for Teachers and Administrators. The book is a comprehensive examination of the many legal issues that impact public education in this country. With informative and easily accessible contributions from members of the legal and academic communities, the topics in this edited collection will be of particular interest to those who work or have an interest in schools and the educational system.

Education Law in Canada: A Guide for Teachers and Administrators Published

Lauri Reesor and Brenda Bowlby recently published a chapter on Special Education Law in the text, Education Law in Canada: A Guide for Teachers and Administrators. “Education has long been recognized as a “service” that is protected by human rights legislation, and special education has been recognized as the means by which accommodations are determined and implemented for students with…