On June 17th, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a significant judgement on access to government information. In Ontario (Public Safety and Security) v. Criminal Lawyers’ Association, 2010 SCC 23 (CanLII) (the “CLA” case), it held that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the “Charter“) gives the public a limited right of access to…
Industry: Universities
Post-Secondary Legislation Passes Third Reading
On June 3, 2010, Bill 43, the Post-Secondary Education Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010, carried at Third Reading. As previously reported, this omnibus legislation amends Ontario’s Post-Secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000, the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005, and the Ontario College of Art & Design Act, 2002.
Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts & Technology Regulation Amended
On May 14, 2010, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 169/10, amending Regulation 34/03 (General) under the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002. In part, the amendments provide a new method for appointing members of a board of governors after October 1, 2010, and the terms of the office.
Post-Secondary Legislation Referred to Committee
On May 11, 2010, Bill 43, the Post-Secondary Education Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010. If passed, this omnibus legislation would amend various Acts as follows: the Post-Secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000 to refine definitions of terms such as “degree” and “educational institution”, the application of the Act to defined persons, and certain prohibitions….
2010 Winter Issue
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS Labour law and the freedom of association FOCUS ON CONSTRUCTION The long reach of construction A good constitution PROFILE Hicks Morley lawyers lead the class Download PDF
Ontario Government Passes Workplace Violence Legislation
On December 9, 2009, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace), 2009. Bill 168 will come into effect on June 15, 2010. Bill 168, which requires employers to develop policies to address workplace violence and harassment and to assess the risk of violence…
AODA Update: Final Proposed Employment Accessibility Standard Released
Employers and human resources practitioners in Ontario need to know about the latest development under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”). The Ontario government just released the Final Proposed Employment Accessibility Standard (“Final Proposed Standard”), which, if adopted as law in its current form, will broadly impact the employment practices of nearly…
Bill 168, The Occupational Health And Safety Amendment Act (Violence And Harassment In The Workplace) 2009, Carried At Second Reading
On October 20, 2009, Bill 168, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace) 2009 was debated and carried at Second Reading. The Bill has been Ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy by the Ontario Legislature. As you may know, the Committee review process can take days,…
New Rules of Civil Procedure
Effective January 1, 2010, the Rules of Civil Procedure governing all civil litigation matters brought in the Superior Court of Ontario will come into force. This FTR Now highlights some of the key changes that will impact the manner in which employment-related actions are litigated, including wrongful dismissal claims, constructive dismissal claims, and claims for…
Tax Treatment of Tuition Awards Provided To Employees’ Family Members
The Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) has recently reviewed its unpopular characterization of tuition fees, scholarships, and bursaries (“tuition awards”) provided by employers to family members of employees as taxable benefits to the employees. The CRA’s updated position is that a tuition award provided by an arm’s length employer for the post secondary education of an…