Proposed Amendments to CIRB Regulation Published for Comment

On November 17, 2012, the federal government published proposed Regulations Amending the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2001, inviting interested parties to comment on the proposed regulatory text within two weeks of the date of publication. The proposed Regulations follow consultations conducted by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (“CIRB”) throughout 2011 with labour and management…

Enjoying a Safe Holiday Office Party

Once again, the holiday season is upon us and it is that time of year when employers begin to plan for seasonal and holiday celebrations. Whether these celebrations are large or small, it is important that employers take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees who attend office parties or other…

Improperly Sent Email Has Legal Consequences For Employer

In a fast-paced workplace, misdirected emails can easily happen and may occasionally result in an embarrassing disclosure of information to the wrong person.  A recent decision of the Divisional Court confirms that the inadvertent email can also result in significant legal consequences for employers. In Fernandes v. Marketforce Communications, the employer forwarded the email of a…

Letters of Credit Pension Regulation Filed

On November 15, 2012, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 364/12, which amends Regulation 909 made under the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”) and implements the framework for letters of credit under the yet to be proclaimed section 55.2 of the PBA. Section 55.2 of the PBA will allow the use of letters of credit in…

Federal Committee Considers Bill Requiring Disclosure of Information by Labour Organizations

On November 7, 2012, Bill C-377, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Requirements for labour organizations) was considered before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. Bill C-377 is a private member’s bill which, if passed, will amend the Income Tax Act to require labour organizations to file a public information return…

The CBA National Labour and Employment Law Section Newsletter Publishes Article by Julia Nanos

An article by Hicks Morley’s Julia Nanos was published in the November 2012 issue of The CBA National Labour and Employment Law Section Newsletter. In the article entitled, “‘Non-construction employer’ declaration provision of Ontario’s Labour Relations Act, 1995 does not infringe the Charter: ONCA”, Julia comments on a recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision concerning…

William LeMay Quoted in Law Times

Hicks Morley’s William LeMay, was quoted in the November 12, 2012 edition of Law Times. In an article entitled “OBA wants ADR at heart of WSIB appeals modernization,” Will comments on the OBA workers’ compensation law section submission to the WSIB’s consultation process. He states “The OBA group has a unique perspective because we have…

New Solvency Funding Relief Regulations Filed

On November 1, 2012, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 329/12 and O. Reg 330/12, each of which amends Regulation 909 (General) made under the Pension Benefits Act. Further to the government’s Budget 2012, O. Reg 329/12 extends temporary solvency funding relief measures for private sector defined benefit pension plans, as first introduced in 2009…

Helping Families in Need Act Reported Back to House of Commons

On November 2, 2012, Bill C-44, Helping Families in Need Act, was reported back to the House of Commons without amendment by the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. As previously reported, if passed Bill C-44 will, among other things, make certain amendments to the…