Jessica advises employers on a wide range of labour and employment matters. This includes labour disputes, grievance arbitrations, human rights and accommodation.
Industry: Energy & Utilities
Expert Guides Best of the Best 2017 Recognizes Two Hicks Morley Lawyers
Best of the Best, the international legal market’s leading guide to the top legal practitioners, has recognized two Hicks Morley lawyers in its Expert Guides 2017 directory for the practice area of Labour and Employment law. Congratulations to Stephen Shamie and John Brooks on this recognition!
Shivani Chopra
Shivani’s is regularly engaged by insurers to defend claims covered by Employment Practice Liability Insurance (EPLI). In addition to this, her expertise includes defending private-sector employers and financial institutions in a range of employment litigation matters including discrimination, harassment, short- and long-term disability benefits, constructive dismissal and wrongful dismissal claims.
Mariana Kamenetsky
Mariana provides advice to federally and provincially regulated employers on all aspects of workers’ compensation claims and appeals, such as initial entitlement, accommodation and related human rights and arbitration proceedings.
New Definition of “Spouse” in Ontario to Affect Plan Administration, Insurance & Succession Rules
Pending legislative changes to the definition of “spouse” in Ontario are set to impact pension plan administration and insurance claims in Ontario, further to amendments recently enacted by Bill 28, All Families Are Equal Act (Parentage and Related Registrations Statute Law Amendment), 2016…
WSIB Rate Framework Approved
On November 14, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) approved its new Rate Framework which fundamentally changes the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets their premium rates. The Rate Framework has a targeted implementation date of January 2019. On the same date, the Board of…
Ontario Proposes Creation of Employer “Health and Safety Management Systems” under OHSA
On November 16, 2016, the Ontario government introduced Bill 70, Building Ontario Up for Everyone Act (Budget Measures), 2016, omnibus legislation that would, among other things, amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to provide for the establishment of employer “health and safety management systems.” Specifically, the amendments would: define “health and safety management…
Ontario Proposes Significant Overhaul of Pension Regulatory Framework
On November 16, 2016, the Ontario government introduced Bill 70, Building Ontario Up for Everyone Act (Budget Measures), 2016, omnibus legislation that would, among other things: enact the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario Act, 2016 to establish a new framework for the creation of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), replacing both…
Ontario PRPP Legislation Now in Force
On November 8, 2016, the Ontario Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act (Act) came into force. As we previously reported, pooled registered pension plans (PRPPs) are a relatively new type of savings plan, operating much like a defined contribution pension plan that holds assets pooled together from multiple participating employers and employees. PRPPs are administered by…
New Rules for Administrator Appointment & Advisory Committee Establishment
On October 31, 2016, the Ontario government filed new regulations under the Pension Benefits Act (PBA) to implement the measures set out below. Appointment of administrator. Effective October 31, 2016, the PBA regulations are amended to set out the prescribed circumstances in which the Superintendent may appoint an administrator for a pension plan or act…