On November 30, 2020, the Department of Finance released Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19: Fall Economic Statement 2020 (Fall Economic Statement). In this FTR Now, we focus on two key proposals contained in the Fall Economic Statement that will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals: (i) proposed amendments to the employee stock…
Industry: Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal and Provincial)
New Administrative Monetary Penalties under Canada Labour Code Coming into Force on January 1, 2021
On January 1, 2021, the new Part IV “Administrative Monetary Penalties” of the Canada Labour Code (Code) will come into force together with other amendments to the Code. Part IV Administrative Monetary Penalties Part IV was enacted by Bill C-44, Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1. Among other things, Part IV: establishes a penalty system…
Federal Government Publishes Guideline on Incoming Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Obligations
On November 30, 2020, the federal government published Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention (HVP), an Interpretations, Policy, Guidelines document (IPG Document) to address some questions relating to the incoming harassment and violence provisions of the Canada Labour Code (Code) and its supporting Regulation, which are set to come into force on January 1, 2021….
Ontario Expands Testing for COVID-19 – What Employers Need to Know
On November 20, 2020, the Ontario government filed two regulations that allow point-of-care testing for COVID-19 to take place outside of laboratories and permit an expanded list of healthcare professionals to perform COVID-19 testing. The regulations came into effect on November 20.
Modernizing Canada’s Privacy Laws: What Employers Need to Know About Bill C-11
On November 17, 2020, the federal government introduced Bill C-11, An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act and the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.
Ontario Places Toronto and Peel Region into Lockdown, Changes Made to Other Regions
On November 20, 2020 the Ontario government announced that it will be moving certain regions of the province to new levels of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework (Framework). This included moving the City of Toronto and Peel Region to the Grey Zone – Lockdown of the Framework, effective earlier today, November 23 at 12:01 a.m. These restrictions will be in effect for at least 28 days.
Note Extended Deadline for Filing AODA Compliance Report, and More
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) sets out the process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards in Ontario. Its purpose is to achieve accessibility standards for Ontarians with physical and mental disabilities by 2025. All levels of government, private sector organizations and non-profit organizations must comply with this legislation.
Adjusting to Ontario’s New Colour-Coded COVID-19 Zones
The Ontario government has enacted new regulations that amend the Rules for Areas in Stage 2 and 3. The regulations aim to implement the recently announced reopening framework. The regulations:
Ontario Tables Fall Budget 2020
On November 5, 2020, the Ontario government tabled its 2020 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 229, Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020(Bill 229).
Ontario Releases New Framework for COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions
On November 3, 2020, the Ontario government released its COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open (Framework) which the government states “will serve as an early warning system allowing [it] to scale up and scale back public health restrictions on a regional or community basis in response to surges and waves of COVID-19.” The Framework will apply to businesses and organizations that operate within the applicable public health units, and it also contains sector-specific health and safety measures.