Health officials in Canada have stated that the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains very low. That said, in recent weeks the virus has been top of mind for many, including employers. In this FTR Now, we discuss workplace pandemic planning and operational issues employers should be anticipating in the unlikely event of an outbreak.
Industry: Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal and Provincial)
Federal Government Clarifies Scheduling Requirements for On-Call Employees, Seeks Submissions on Hours of Work Requirements
The federal Labour Program has been holding consultations on the scheduling and hours of work provisions in the Canada Labour Code (Code) that came into force on September 1, 2019. The first round of consultations took place in the fall of 2019.
Labour Notes® Newsletter Features Article by Nadine Zacks on the Supreme Court Decision Regarding Canada Labour Code Safety Inspections
The January 28, 2020 issue of Labour Notes® features an article authored by Hicks Morley lawyer Nadine Zacks. This article explores one of the complications within the Canada Labor Code and the recent resolution of the Supreme Court that gives a clear parameter to employers as far they are legally responsible in relation to work locations and gives an overturn to the decision of the Federal Court that imposed unmanageable and impractical obligations.
Modernizing Federal Labour Standards, and More
In this Federal Post, we look at the recently released study on modernizing labour standards in the federally regulated private sector, the second such study in the last few years.
Pension Law 2020: A Clear Look at the Latest Pension Law Reforms
In this FTR Now, we highlight the new pension rules that are of particular interest to employers and pension plan administrators.
Supreme Court of Canada: Work Place Safety Inspections Under Canada Labour Code Only Apply to Work Place Over Which Employer Has Control
The Supreme Court of Canada has held that an employer’s work place inspection obligations under the Canada Labour Code (Code) only extend to that part of the work place over which it has physical control, and not to locations beyond its control where its employees may be engaged in work. This decision is welcome news for employers that may require employees to work outside of the employer’s physical location.
New Year – New Standard of Review
Just prior to the end of 2019, the Supreme Court of Canada established a new framework that is designed to guide lower courts on applying the standard of review in judicial review applications. The Court’s long-awaited “trilogy” of cases in Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Vavilov and the two companion appeals heard together in Bell Canada v. Canada (Attorney General) represents an express departure and evolution from the framework that the Court set out in the case of Dunsmuir decided over a decade ago.
Ryan J. Freeman
Ryan maintains a broad labour relations practice, with a specific focus on construction labour relations. His practice also includes civil litigation, human rights and collective bargaining. When advising his clients, Ryan takes a strategic, forward-thinking approach and always endeavours to ensure the avoidance of unnecessary legal problems and risks. He actively listens to and engages with his clients, and they regularly reach out to him for guidance on how matters will impact their organizations in the long term.
Grant R. Nuttall
Grant’s practice is advocacy-focused and includes collective bargaining, labour disputes, grievance arbitrations, wrongful dismissal, human rights and accommodation, and employment standards. He works across the public and private sectors with a focus on the broader public sector.
Sean M. Reginio
Sean collaborates with clients as they navigate complex issues involving workplace accommodation, mental health law, union organizing drives, disciplinary investigations and Education Act obligations for trustees and administrators. He regularly delivers training sessions and presentations regarding a variety of workplace issues including workplace harassment, management/union relations, employee terminations and attendance management.