Ontario’s Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent

On October 28, 2024, Ontario’s Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 (Bill 190) received Royal Assent. Bill 190 amends several statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. In this FTR Now, we review key amendments of particular interest to employers.

Ontario Court Upholds Termination Clause Excluding Employee’s Common Law Entitlements, Ends Employee’s Lawsuit Against Former Employer

In the recent decision of Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc., the Ontario Superior Court of Justice upheld the enforceability of a termination clause in an employment agreement that limited the plaintiff’s entitlement to only the minimum standards under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). The Court held the clause was valid and enforceable and consequently dismissed…

Request for Volunteer to Remove Rainbow Sticker from Name Badge Not Discriminatory, Says Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

In an important decision for employers, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunal) confirmed that distinction does not necessarily amount to discrimination. In Zanette v. Ottawa Chamber Music Society, the Tribunal held that the Ottawa Chamber Music Society’s request that a volunteer usher (Zanette) remove a rainbow sticker from his name badge did not constitute…

Stevie (Stephanie) Gellatly

Stevie advises employers on a variety of matters related to labour relations, employment law and human rights.

Lukas Furlan

Lukas is a labour and employment lawyer practising out of Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. He advises employers on a wide range of matters including grievance arbitrations, employment litigation, human rights issues, labour disputes and workplace accommodation.

Djordje Milanovic

Djordje offers advice and representation to employers in the public and private sectors on a wide range of labour and employment matters.

Ontario Government Launches Consultation on New Job Posting Rules Under the ESA

On August 21, 2024, the Ontario government launched consultations on the new Part III.1 (Job Postings) of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). This section was passed under Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act, 2024, with further proposed amendments introduced in Bill 190, Working for Workers Five Act, 2024. While not yet in force,…

Daryl Seupersad

Daryl has developed a specialized practice in advising and representing employers with their workers’ compensation claims management and appeals.

Highlights of the 2024 Federal Budget and Budget Bill

On May 2, 2024, the federal government introduced Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024, for first reading. Bill C-69 contains legislation that, if passed, would enact certain measures outlined in the 2024 Budget, “Fairness for Every Generation” (Budget) that was previously tabled on…