On May 28, 2025, the Ontario government introduced Bill 30, the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (Bill 30). Bill 30 continues the province’s ongoing “Working for Workers” legislative initiative, proposing significant amendments to various employment-related statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
Industry: Energy & Utilities
Ontario Court of Appeal Upholds Termination Clause Limiting Employee to ESA Minimums in Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc.
The Ontario Court of Appeal has delivered a significant decision in Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc., wherein the Court confirmed that properly drafted termination clauses can limit employees to only their statutory minimum entitlements under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) upon termination.
Alberta Court Permits Disclosure of City’s Workplace Sexual Misconduct Class-Action Settlement, Revealing $9.5 Million Payment to 155 Women
The Court of King’s Bench of Alberta has permitted disclosure of settlement details in a class action lawsuit against the City of Leduc, revealing a payment of over $9.5 million to 155 female employees who experienced workplace sexual misconduct. This case represents both one of the highest compensation per person for workplace sexual misconduct claims…
Ontario’s Human Rights Tribunal Dismisses Discrimination Claim Against Union’s Women-Only Job Posting Under Special Program Provisions in the Code
Employers seeking to initiate equitable hiring strategies may wonder whether such programs are “legal”, given the current political climate in the United States. A recent decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario contains important reminders.
No Presumption Without Exposure: WSIAT Reverses WSIB Entitlement for Mesothelioma, Finding No Evidence of Asbestos Exposure in Caretaker Role
In a recent decision, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) found that a caretaker’s duties at a large public sector employer did not involve asbestos exposure.
Zohra Bhimani
Zohra is a labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Waterloo office. She offers advice and representation to employers and management in both the private and public sectors on a wide range of labour, employment, and human rights issues. Zohra received her Bachelor of Laws from Queen Mary University of London, where she received the…
Bayley Winkel
Bayley Winkel is a pensions, benefits, and compensation lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. He has developed specialized experience in preparing legal opinions and successful regulatory applications for employer entitlement to pension plan surplus.
Ontario Announces Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025
The Ontario government introduced Bill 2, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025. Framed as a defensive strategy, Bill 2 aims to boost interprovincial trade in response to U.S. tariff pressures.
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.
Arbitration Workshop
For human resources professionals tasked with maintaining workplace labour relations, navigating an organization’s grievance and arbitration process can present unique challenges—particularly if you aren’t yet familiar with key aspects and strategic considerations along the way. This hands-on workshop has been designed to equip both new and more experienced members of your labour relations team with the skills necessary to prepare a case for grievance arbitration.