Ontario Introduces Pay Transparency Legislation

On March 6, 2018, the Ontario government introduced Bill 203, Pay Transparency Act, 2018, which creates certain requirements for employers regarding compensation information and its disclosure to employees and potential employees. If passed, Bill 203 would, among other things: prohibit employers from seeking the compensation history regarding a potential employee, although that person may voluntarily…

Federal Budget 2018

On February 27, 2018 the federal government tabled its 2018 Budget, Equality & Growth: A Strong Middle Class (Budget). The Budget contains several key initiatives, including a new Employment Insurance parental sharing benefit, the permanent extension and expansion of the Employment Insurance Working While on Claim pilot project…

2018 Federal Budget Tabled

On February 27, 2018, the federal government tabled its Budget 2018, Equality + Growth:  A Strong Middle Class. We are currently reviewing the Budget and an FTR Now which highlights initiatives of particular interest to employers, human resource professionals and pension plan administrators will be available shortly on our website. (Editor’s Note: Our FTR Now,…

FSCO Launches Targeted Compliance Review of Member Option Statements

In March, 2018, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) will commence a targeted review of pension plan member option statements to verify compliance with key requirements under the Pension Benefits Act (Act) and FSCO policies. In particular, FSCO will focus its targeted review on whether plan administrators are: meeting requirements for statement content and…

Are Service Providers Liable for Harassment Between Customers? The Divisional Court Weighs In

In City of Toronto v. Josephs, the Divisional Court reviewed a recent decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunal) and specifically addressed the question of a service provider’s liability for harassment issues arising between customers. In so doing, the Court has provided useful guidance for organizations that provide services to the public, and…

Supreme Court of Canada Finds Employers Have Duty to Accommodate Under Workers’ Compensation Legislation

The Supreme Court of Canada recently considered an employer’s duty to accommodate under Québec’s workers’ compensation legislation, the Act Respecting Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases (Act). In Quebec (Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail) v. Caron, the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail…

Securities Act Amendments Allow Employees to Bring a Civil Action for Reprisal Against Whistleblowing

Recent amendments to the Ontario Securities Act (Act) now permit an employee to commence a civil action in court for reprisal against whistleblowing. Section 121.5 of the Act imposes new potential liability for employers. It states: 121.5 (1) No person or company, or person acting on behalf of a person or company, shall take a…

The Right to Be Forgotten Comes to Canada

On January 26, 2018, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada issued a new position on the protection of online reputation. In doing so the OPC recognized a right to have personal information de-indexed from search engine results if it is inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date. Although the position is in draft, is nonetheless of…

Four Hicks Morley Lawyers Recognized in The 2018 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada

Hicks Morley is thrilled to announce that four of the firm’s lawyers have been recognized as the country’s “Leading Lawyers” in The 2018 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada. Congratulations to Henry Dinsdale and Stephen Shamie for once again being profiled, and to David Bannon and John Brooks for their debut feature in this prestigious guide for their distinguished expertise in Labour Law.

Jessica M. Toldo

Jessica advises employers on a wide range of labour and employment matters. This includes labour disputes, grievance arbitrations, human rights and accommodation.