On April 7, 2025, the Ontario announced approximately $11 billion in relief and support for workers and businesses to protect the province’s economy from economic uncertainty and the impact of U.S. tariffs.
Industry: Municipalities & Municipal Agencies
Ontario Employers Take Note: Pending Changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000
Changes to the Employment Standards Act are coming. Since 2021, the Ontario government has passed a series of Bills that have amended a range of employment-related statutes.
Dismissal of Healthcare Worker for Failure to Disclose COVID-19 Exposure to Spouse/Co-Worker Not Discriminatory
A recent decision provides clarification on the distinction between legitimate workplace policy enforcement and discriminatory conduct. In this #CIP, Hicks Morley’s Gabrielle Lemoine shares details of the case and what it means for employers and HR professionals.
Court Awards Terminated Executive Over $456,000 After Finding Employer’s Conditional Severance Offer Constituted Repudiation of the Employment Agreement
A recent decision underscores the importance of complying with contractual termination entitlements for departing employees. In this Case in Point, Hicks Morley’s Justin Choy examines the decision and what it means for employers.
Employers Take Note: Certain Employees Entitled to Paid Time Off to Cast Vote in the 2025 Ontario Provincial Election
The Ontario provincial election will be held on February 27, 2025. Under the Ontario Election Act (Act), eligible employees are entitled to three consecutive hours during voting hours to cast their vote. In some circumstances, this may require employers to provide certain employees with paid time off to vote.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals: Process, Procedure, and Advocacy at the WSIB and the WSIAT
In this interactive workshop, participants will gain the strategies and tools needed to manage the WSIB and WSIAT appeal processes, understand the differences between the WSIB and WSIAT appeal procedures, learn the common mistakes and pitfalls and how to avoid them, how to assess evidence and develop a theory of the case, and how and when to seek professional assistance.
Year in Review – Key Legislative Updates of 2024
Welcome to our annual review of notable legislative updates over the past year that we believe will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals.
WSIB Claims Management – A Detailed Overview of the Life of a Claim
Managing WSIB claims has become increasingly complex. Many issues are impacting employers’ WSIB claims costs, including unsuccessful return-to-work efforts, complicated injuries, psychological conditions, pre-existing conditions, and a lack of monitoring and progress. This workshop will provide a detailed overview of the life of a WSIB claim, along with strategies to better manage these challenging issues.
Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent
On December 19, 2024, Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 (Bill 229) received Royal Assent. Bill 229 amends several statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. Key amendments of particular interest to employers are addressed below. Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) The following…
Ontario Court of Appeal Dismisses Appeal in Dufault, Upholds Finding That “For Cause” Language in Termination Provision Contravened ESA
In Dufault v. Ignace (Township), the Ontario Court of Appeal reinforced and applied the principle established in Waksdale v. Swegon North America Inc. (Waksdale) that, when interpreting an employment agreement, all termination provisions must be read together and the invalidity of one termination provision renders all termination provisions void and unenforceable. In rendering its decision,…