Canadian pension funds are continually seeking investment opportunities abroad with a view to diversifying their portfolio and maximizing risk-adjusted returns. Offerings of investments in U.S. real estate and infrastructure projects will likely increase as a result of recent U.S. legal reforms which aim to attract foreign investment in these areas. Under the U.S. Foreign Investment in Real…
Industry: Social Services
Ontario Proposes Regulatory Amendments to Prohibit Use of Medical Marijuana Vaporizers in Workplaces
On March 10, 2016, the Ontario government introduced Bill 178, Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act, 2016. If passed, Bill 178 would amend the Smoke Free Ontario Act to provide for prescribed products and substances, in addition to tobacco. Among other things, Bill 178 would prohibit a person from smoking a prescribed product or substance or holding…
Ontario Proposes Elimination of the “30% Rule” for Pension Investment
Further to announcements made in its 2015 Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, the Ontario government is soliciting feedback on proposed regulatory reforms that would eliminate the current investment rule that prohibits plan administrators from making investments that result in pension funds owning more than 30% of the voting shares of a corporation. The so-called “30% rule”…
New OHSA Noise Protection Regulation Coming Into Force July 1, 2016
On July 1, 2016, noise protection requirements will be extended to all Ontario workplaces pursuant to O. Reg. 381/15 made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The noise protection requirements currently found in the following regulations will be revoked effective July 1, 2016: Regulation 851 – Industrial Establishments (s. 139) (O. Reg. 382/15) Regulation 854…
Reaching Out – Tenth Edition
Dear Friends, With winter winding down, although not yet completely over, it is time to provide the 2016 Winter Edition of Reaching Out. In it, we discuss legal developments since our last edition that you will want to know about. Carolyn Kay and Stephanie Jeronimo of our Toronto office have provided an update on the…
Ontario Passes Sexual Violence and Harassment Bill
On March 8, 2016, the Ontario government passed Bill 132, Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015, as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. Bill 132 amends various statutes with respect to sexual violence and harassment, domestic violence and other matters. In addition to…
Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal Clarifies Maintenance Obligations for Employers Utilizing the Proxy Method
The Ontario Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal (the “Tribunal”) recently issued a long-awaited decision in Ontario Nurses’ Association v Participating Nursing Homes (“Nursing Homes“). At issue in this case was the Unions’ assertion that in order to maintain pay equity using the proxy method, employers were required to return to their proxy employer to obtain up-to-date…
2016 Ontario Budget and Budget Bill Released
On February 25, 2016, the Ontario government tabled its 2016 Budget “Jobs for Today and Tomorrow” (“Budget”) and the corresponding Budget Bill, Bill 173, Jobs for Today and Tomorrow Act (Budget Measures), 2016 (“Bill 173”), supporting omnibus legislation designed to implement some of the proposals contained in the Budget. Our FTR Now of February 29, 2016, “Ontario Budget 2016”…
Raising the Bar – Twelfth Edition
Dear Friends Welcome to the first 2016 issue of Raising the Bar! We are looking forward to a year full of exciting developments in the world of civil litigation. However, before we know where we’re headed, we thought it would be wise to reflect on where we’ve been. Now that the dust has settled, we…
Ontario Budget 2016
On February 25, 2016, the Ontario government tabled its 2016 Budget “Jobs for Today and Tomorrow” (“Budget”) and the corresponding Budget Bill, Bill 173, Jobs for Today and Tomorrow Act (Budget Measures), 2016 (“Bill 173”). In this FTR Now, we highlight some of the key proposals that are of particular interest to employers, human resources…