Ontario 2017 Budget Bill Passes

On May 17, 2017, the Ontario government passed Bill 127, Stronger, Healthier Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017, omnibus legislation giving effect to initiatives contained in the Ontario Budget 2017. See our FTR Now of May 2, 2017, Ontario Budget 2017, for a detailed discussion of those initiatives which are of interest to employers, human resources…

Ontario Budget 2017

On April 27, 2017, the Ontario government tabled its 2017 Budget “A Stronger, Healthier Ontario” (Budget) and Bill 127, Stronger, Healthier Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017 (Budget Bill), omnibus legislation designed to implement some of the proposals contained in the Budget. In this FTR Now, we highlight key proposals that are of particular interest to…

Ontario Tables 2017 Budget

On April 27, 2017, the Ontario government tabled its 2017 Budget “A Stronger, Healthier Ontario.” We are in the process of reviewing the Budget, and an FTR Now highlighting measures of interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators will be available on our website in the coming days. Editor’s Note: Bill 127, Stronger,…

Federal Government Introduces Bill to Legalize Cannabis

On April 13, 2017, the federal government introduced Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act. If passed, Bill C-45 will, among other things: permit persons age 18 and over to possess up to 30 grams of dried or fresh cannabis permit the government to authorize the possession, production, distribution, sale, importation and exportation of cannabis where authorized…

Advantage CPD: Key Issues in Social Services

Please join us for an update on key issues that impact social services organizations in Ontario, and a discussion of the latest legal developments and emerging trends. We will take a whirlwind look at a number of issues affecting your workplace and provide you with the practical tools…

Federal Budget Implementation Legislation Introduced

On April 11, 2017, the federal government introduced Bill C-44, the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1, omnibus legislation that would enact various measures outlined in its 2017 Budget. The accompanying Department of Finance Backgrounder indicates that Bill C-44 would, among other things, amend the Employment Insurance Act to: allow parents to choose to receive Employment…

New Private Member Bill Proposes “Card Check” Unionization, First Contract Arbitration Model for Ontario

On April 4, 2017, the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Ontario introduced private member legislation that would amend the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act) to bring “card check” union certification back to Ontario for the first time since 1995, and to implement a new first contract arbitration process. It is important to note that private…