AODA Compliance: Are You Ready to File Your Report?

All organizations in Ontario employing at least one employee are required to comply with a series of requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) standards and regulations. For organizations with 20 or more employees, the next mandatory reporting deadline is December 31, 2017. Learn more about your pending and future AODA compliance obligations and our AODA Compliance Checklist for employers in this FTR Now.

Bill 148 Receives Royal Assent

On November 27, 2017, Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, received Royal Assent. Many provisions of  Bill 148 come into force on January 1, 2018, including the amendments to the Labour Relations Act, 1995. There are several exceptions to the general January 1, 2018 coming into force date for the Employment Standards Act,…

Bill 148 Passes

On November 22, 2017, the Ontario government passed Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, legislation that significantly changes workplace laws in Ontario. For more information, see our recent FTR Nows (which are best read in conjunction with one another): More Changes to Bill 148 after Second Committee Review (November 17, 2017) Big Changes…

Regulations Amending the Old Age Security Act Regulations Released

On November 15, 2017, amendments to the Old Age Security Regulations (Regulations) were published in the Canada Gazette to: Phase in automatic enrollment for Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits, alongside enrollment for Old Age Security (OAS), by the 65th birthday of eligible individuals Revert the age of eligibility for OAS benefits to age 65 from…

Regulations Amending the Employment Insurance Regulations Released

Significant amendments to the Employment Insurance Regulations have been filed and were published in the Canada Gazette on November 15, 2017 to implement the availability of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits for the care of critically ill adult family members and the option to extend parental leaves, initiatives outlined in the 2017 Federal Budget. The changes…

Ontario Amends PBA and PRPP Regulations; Introduces Legislation Affecting Police Sector Asset Transfers

Annuity Purchases on Wind Up On November 3, 2017, O. Reg. 412/17, amending Regulation 909 (General) made under the Pension Benefits Act (PBA), was filed. As discussed in our FTR Now, Ontario’s Bill 70: The New Face of Pension Regulation Revealed, amendments will be made to the PBA requiring administrators appointed by the Superintendent of…

Setting up Shop in Canada? What U.S. Employers Need to Know About Canadian Employment Law

While Canada and the United States are alike in many respects, there are a few key differences in employment law that U.S. employers should be aware of if you are considering buying, selling or operating a business in Canada.

Ontario Introduces Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Legislation

On November 1, 2017, the Ontario government tabled Bill 174, Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017 omnibus legislation which would, if passed, regulate the cultivation, sale, distribution and consumption of cannabis in Ontario, enact the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017  and make amendments to the Highway Traffic Act relating to impairment by cannabis and road safety. Among other things, the Bill provides the provincial framework for the federal Bill C-45, Cannabis Act.