On May 4, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, was reported with amendments by the Standing Committee on Social Policy and ordered for Third Reading. As previously reported, the proposed Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health…
Industry: Hospitality & Gaming
Ontario 2011 Budget Bill Ordered for Third Reading
On May 5, 2011, Bill 173, the Better Tomorrow for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2011, was reported as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. As previously reported, Bill 173 is omnibus legislation amending a variety of statutes to implement certain initiatives outlined in the 2011 Ontario Budget tabled on March 23,…
FTR Quarterly – 2011 Spring Issue
FOCUS ON PAY EQUITY Avoiding the pay equity shock GREAT MOVES Movin’ on up LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS Redefining “employee” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act Social media harms PROFILE Hospitality plus Download PDF
Ontario Announces Safety Blitz Focusing On Young Workers
On April 27, 2011, the Ontario government announced that it will launch a safety blitz on May 1 intended to protect young workers by ensuring that employers are complying with regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In part, the initiative will focus on whether young workers are: being instructed, trained and supervised on…
Bill C-9 Pension Reforms Come Into Force
Effective April 1, 2011 and July 1, 2011, certain sections of the federal Jobs and Economic Growth Act (Bill C-9) and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (“PBSA”) come into force. As previously reported, amendments to the PBSA which were brought into force effective April 1, 2011 include provisions: permitting plan sponsors to secure letters…
There is Nothing Common About a Constructive Dismissal
In the first case of its kind, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has denied a motion for certification of a class action for constructive dismissal on the basis that it lacked the essential element of commonality. The decision has very significant implications for employers, particularly in the context of employers’ approaches to managing and…
Federal Election 2011: Employers’ Obligation to Provide Paid Time Off to Vote
A federal election has been called for May 2, 2011. Under the Canada Elections Act, all employees who are electors – Canadian citizens who are 18 years of age or older – are entitled to three (3) consecutive hours on election day during voting hours to cast their vote. Under the Canada Elections Act, voting…
Good Government Act Receives Royal Assent
On March 30, 2011, Bill 110, the Good Government Act, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Good Government Act is omnibus legislation that makes a number of amendments to various statutes, including several which are employment-related. The Act should be consulted for coming into force information.
Ontario Budget 2011 – Highlights for Employers
INTRODUCTION On March 29, 2011, the Honourable Dwight Duncan, Ontario’s Minister of Finance, tabled the government’s 2011 Budget, “Turning the Corner to a Better Tomorrow”, before the Legislature and simultaneously introduced omnibus legislation amending a variety of statutes to implement some of these initiatives through Bill 173, the Better Tomorrow for Ontario Act (Budget Measures),…
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Passes Second Reading
On March 29, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 passed second reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. As previously reported, the proposed Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety…