The Ministry of Labour has announced that it will be conducting safety blitzes focused on summer students with targeted inspections of the retail, restaurant, food, beverage, hospitality and recreational services industries. The blitz will continue until the end of August 2019.
Industry: Social Services
Stephen Shamie Quoted in the 2019 Lexpert US/Canada Cross-Border Guide on Cannabis in the Workplace
Hicks Morley’s Stephen Shamie was quoted by Lexpert US/Canada Cross-Border Guide in the June 14, 2019 article titled, “Cannabis in the Workplace.” The article examines employee rights and employer obligations post cannabis legalization.
“Non-Construction” Employer Deeming Provision under LRA Now in Force
On April 3, 2019, Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019, received Royal Assent. Among other things, the Bill amends the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA) to deem certain public sector entities as “non-construction” employers to whom the construction provisions of the LRA will not apply. Such entities include municipalities, local housing corporations, social services…
Gender Identity and Gender Expression
Gender identity and gender expression are protected grounds under Ontario’s Human Rights Code (Code). While the law in this area is highly dynamic, this Client Toolkit provides employers with guidelines and best practices for understanding its unique aspects, supporting trans people in the workplace, and ensuring compliance with the Code.
OMHRA Summer 2019 ECHO Newsletter Features Articles Authored by Hicks Morley Lawyers
The Summer 2019 issue of OMHRA’s ECHO newsletter features two articles authored by Hicks Morley lawyers. In the article “Advanced Planning Required by Municipalities to Respond to New Changes to OMERS,” Natasha Monkman discusses how Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System participating employers will need to plan in advance to respond to the changes that will be made effective on January 1, 2021…
Ontario Proposes Increase to Hours for Unionized Employees Under ESA Overtime Averaging Agreements
On June 19, 2019, the government published two regulatory proposals which relate to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and for which the government is inviting feedback by August 5, 2019.
Ontario Health and Safety Regulations Amended
On June 10, 2019, the Ontario government filed a number of amendments to regulations made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. O. Reg. 186/19 replaces the “Equivalency” provision of Regulation 851 (Industrial Establishments) with a new provision entitled “Alternative methods and materials.” It now requires employers to provide written notice to the joint health…
Ontario Clarifies DB Funding Reforms under the Pension Benefits Act
On May 21, 2019, the Ontario government filed Regulation 105/19 amending Regulation 909 (General Regulation) under the Pension Benefits Act (PBA). The amendments mainly relate to clarifying elements of the defined benefit (DB) funding rules that took effect on May 1, 2018. Many of the new clarifications have been requested by the pension industry over…
Ontario Budget Bill (Bill 100) Passes
As previously reported, on April 11, 2019, the Ontario government released its 2019 Budget and introduced Bill 100, Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019. Bill 100 received Royal Assent on May 29, 2019. Of particular interest to employers and human resource professionals are the amendments made to the following statutes: Public Sector Labour…
Ontario Proposes Significant Changes to Wage Restraint and Collective Bargaining in the Public Sector
Following through on a consultation process that was kicked off on April 4, 2019, the Ontario government has introduced legislation that, if passed, would significantly impact most broader public sector employers.