Federal Government Tables 2019 Budget Bill

On April 8, 2019, the federal government introduced Bill C-97, Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1, for first reading. Bill C-97 is omnibus legislation enacting certain measures outlined in the 2019 Federal Budget. Below are some of the key amendments of interest to employers, pension plan administrators and human resources professionals.

Ontario Budget 2019: Protecting What Matters Most – Key Human Resources Highlights

On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its 2019 Budget, Protecting What Matters Most (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 100, the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 (Bill 100).

The Budget outlines key initiatives around broader public sector compensation, reforms within the healthcare sector, registered pension plans, freedom of information, and more. In this FTR Now, we highlight the proposals that are of particular interest to employers, benefits plan administrators and human resources professionals.

Ontario Budget 2019 Tabled

On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its Budget 2019, “Protecting What Matters Most.” We are reviewing the Budget and an FTR Now highlighting initiatives of interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators will be available shortly on our website.

WSIB Chronic Mental Stress Policy: One Year Later

Since January 2018, workers have been entitled to WSIB benefits for chronic mental stress where the chronic mental stress is caused by a substantial work-related stressor such as workplace harassment and other criteria are satisfied. This Advantage CPD session will provide employers with a practical update on how this policy is being applied by the WSIB at each stage of claim adjudication, and how these WSIB claims may impact proceedings in other forums.

Bill 66 Passes, Amends ESA, LRA and PBA

On April 3, 2019, Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019, received Royal Assent. Bill 66 is omnibus legislation which amends various statutes, including the following employment-related statutes: Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) The ESA has been amended to remove the need for employers to obtain the approval of the Director of Employment Standards in…

ESA Compliance Checklist

Employers are required to comply with the minimum standards set out in the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). In this Checklist, we provide a general overview of an employer’s ESA compliance obligations, along with checklists to assist you in assessing your degree of compliance.

Coverage for Medical Cannabis under Ontario’s Workers’ Compensation System [Video]

The legalization of recreational cannabis, which came into effect on October 17, 2018, has raised many questions for employers about cannabis use in the workplace, as well as potential coverage of cannabis under benefit plans. In this video, Mariana Kamenetsky and Kathryn Meehan talk about coverage for medical cannabis under Ontario’s workers’ compensation system.

Bill 66 Ordered for Third Reading with Committee Changes to Non-Construction Employer Provisions of LRA

On March 21, 2019, Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019, was referred for Third Reading in the Ontario Legislature by the Standing Committee on General Government, with amendments. Bill 66 is omnibus legislation that, if passed, will amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA) and the Pension…