On November 26, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 141, the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act, 2013, at First Reading. If passed, this legislation would establish legislative and regulatory mechanisms intended to “encourage principled, evidence-based and strategic long-term infrastructure planning that supports job creation and training opportunities, economic growth and protection of the environment,…
Industry: Social Services
Ontario Imposes Mandatory Health and Safety Awareness Training
On November 14, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 297/13 Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training, a new regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) requiring employers to ensure workers and supervisors receive mandatory safety awareness training. In this FTR Now, we provide an overview of these new training obligations, and…
New Federal Graduated Late-Filing Penalty for Certain Employment-Related Tax Filings
On November 20, 2013, the federal government registered Regulations Amending the Income Tax Regulations (Late Filing Penalty – Prescribed Information Returns). The regulatory amendment relates to the government’s Budget 2009 and subsequent legislative initiative (via Budget Implementation Act, 2009 amendments) to provide for a “separate, less severe, graduated penalty that would be applicable where ‘prescribed’…
New Brunswick Introduces Public Service Pension Reform Bill
On November 19, 2013, the New Brunswick government introduced Bill 11, An Act Respecting Public Service Pensions, legislation that would, if passed, reform pensions for certain New Brunswick public sector employees. In particular, the proposed legislation provides for the conversion of the pension plan now governed by the Public Service Superannuation Act to a shared risk…
Supreme Court of Canada Denies Leave to Appeal in Reduction of Retiree Benefits Case
Today, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) denied leave to appeal from a decision of the British Columbia Court of Appeal (“BCCA”) in Lacey v. Weyerhaeuser Company Limited. The case concerned changes to certain post-retirement benefits for retired salaried employees (“Retirees”) of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited (“Weyerhaeuser”), and a predecessor company. At issue were fully-funded post-retirement…
Ontario Court of Appeal Upholds Malicious Prosecution Finding Against Municipality, Reduces Punitive Damages
In a cautionary tale for employers, the Court of Appeal for Ontario has upheld a lower court decision which found a Township guilty of malicious prosecution in its actions relating to a dismissed employee. The quantum of punitive damages awarded is also a stark reminder that employee terminations must be conducted in a fair and…
Planning a Safe Holiday Celebration
The holiday season is around the corner – and with it come festivities and celebrations. Whether these seasonal events are large or small, employee health and safety remains a key priority. In this FTR Now, we identify a number of proactive measures employers should consider in planning for a safe holiday celebration. Over the years,…
Mandatory OHSA Safety Awareness Training for Workers, Supervisors
On November 14, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 297/13 (Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, providing for mandatory occupational health and safety training for workers and supervisors, subject to certain exemptions. The regulation revokes O. Reg. 780/94 (Training Programs). Section 5 of the regulation (Certification Training),…
Update on Ontario’s Retirement Reforms and Initiatives
On Thursday, November 7, 2013, Ontario’s minority government released its economic outlook and fiscal review, titled Creating Jobs and Growing the Economy (the “Economic Outlook”). The Economic Outlook updates and also expands upon legislative and other reform initiatives that had previously been announced. In this FTR Now, we review the key retirement-related updates and developments…
Calf-Roping Fatality Case Ends in $275,000 Fine
The Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench has rendered a fine of $275,000 (including victim surcharge) against XI Technologies (“XI”) for its failure to ensure the safety of an employee who was fatally struck and injured while operating a faulty calf-roping machine which had been rented by the employer for use at a client event. This…