Following public consultations, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has published a new operational policy on communicable illnesses (Policy), which will become effective December 1, 2023. The Policy defines a communicable illness as “an illness resulting from infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.” In order to be entitled to benefits for…
Industry: Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal)
Appellate Court Finds National Day of Mourning Not a Paid Holiday Under Collective Agreements
The issue of whether the National Day of Mourning is considered a “holiday” under a particular collective agreement has been the topic of recent arbitral decisions. On November 7, 2023, the Divisional Court weighed in on the issue and found that the National Day of Mourning is not a paid holiday under the applicable collective…
Federal Government Tables Legislation to Ban Replacement Workers
On November 9, 2023, the federal government tabled legislation which would ban the use of replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces to do the work of striking or locked out workers once notice of bargaining has been given. This ban would be subject to certain exceptions. If passed, Bill C-58, An Act to amend the…
Federal Government Extends Consultation on Accessibility Standard on Employment
Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) has extended the period for interested stakeholders to provide comments on its draft Accessibility Standard on Employment (Standard). Interested stakeholders now have until October 31, 2023 to provide comments. The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) came into force on July 11, 2019, and the Accessible Canada Regulations (Regulations) made under the ACA…
Federal Government Adds Exemptions and Modifications to Hours of Work Provisions, Repeals Penalties for Breaches
The federal government recently published regulations amending the Exemptions from and Modifications to Hours of Work Provisions Regulations and the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Regulations). (For further information on the exemptions, please see our Federal Post from December 16, 2021, Federal Government Publishes Exemptions to New Hours of Work and Notice of Schedule Requirements under Canada…
Ontario Announces Legislative Review of the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015
The Ministry of the Solicitor General is conducting a legislative review of the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 (PRCRA). The legislative review was announced on the government’s Regulatory Registry.
Federal Government Consultation on Accessibility Standard on Employment
Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) has published a draft Accessibility Standard on Employment (Standard) as part of its mandate under the Accessible Canada Act (the ACA). Background The ACA came into force on July 11, 2019, and the Accessible Canada Regulations (Regulations) made under the ACA came into force on December 13, 2021. The ACA and…
Standing Committee on Official Languages Amends Federal Bill C-13 regarding the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act
The federal government’s Standing Committee on Official Languages (the Committee) has amended Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts (Act). The new Act sets out new rights for employees which will apply…
Government of Canada Announces Changes to Federal Employment Standards Coming Into Force
The Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2 (Bill C-86) amended the Canada Labour Code (CLC) by enacting a new Division XII.1 “Reimbursement of Work-related Expenses,” which will require federally regulated employers to reimburse employees for reasonable work-related expenses, subject to prescribed exceptions. Bill C-86 also enacted a new section titled “Information Related to Employment,” which…
Federal Government Tables 2023 Budget
On March 28, 2023, the federal government tabled its 2023 budget, “A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future.” The Budget covers a wide array of initiatives. While health and dental care, efforts to make life more affordable, and investments in green energy are key areas of focus, the Budget includes several proposals…