FTR Now

Construction Project Manager Sentenced to 3.5 Years for Christmas Eve Fatalities

The Metron Construction Corporation (“Metron”) project manager who oversaw the construction project on which a swing stage collapsed, resulting in the deaths of four workers and injury to a fifth, has been sentenced to 3.5 years in jail. In this FTR Now, we discuss the background to this important decision and its significance. On Christmas…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Hiring Practices Regulation under Education Act Amended

On December 3, 2015, O. Reg 376/15, amending O. Reg. 274/12 (Hiring Practices) made under the Education Act, was filed. The amendments, which are technical in nature, relate to the hiring practices for long-term occasional (“LTO”) teachers represented by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (“OECTA”). Among other things, the amendments specify timing requirements for the application and interview…

Workplace Law In Canada: A Primer

This Guide provides non-Canadians with an introduction to employment laws and regulations that affect businesses in Canada. It provides an overview of the main differences between Canadian and U.S. workplace laws. To obtain a copy please contact Knowledge Management.

FTR Now

New Mortality Tables in Effect for Ontario Commuted Value Calculations

On December 10, 2015, the Ontario government amended the Regulations under the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”) to require pension plans to use the new mortality tables when calculating commuted values (“CVs”) for Ontario members. The use of the new mortality assumptions, which are found under section 3500 of the Actuarial Standards Board Standards of Practice…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Deadline for Filing Amendments Relating to British Columbia’s PBSA Reform Extended

Significant reforms to the Pension Benefits Standards Act (“PBSA”) in British Columbia came into force on September 30, 2015. Originally, amendments to plans registered in British Columbia which reflect the new legislative requirements had to be filed by December 31, 2015. This week the British Columbia Financial Institutions Commission announced that the filing deadline will be extended to March 31,…

Human Resources Legislative Update

“Tips and Gratuities” Reforms to the ESA Effective June 10, 2016

On December 10, 2015, Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 With Respect to Tips and Other Gratuities, received Royal Assent, and accordingly, its reforms to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) will come into force on June 10, 2016 (i.e. 6 months after the Royal Assent date). As previously reported, the Bill 12…

FTR Now

Ontario Passes New Legislation Governing Tips and Gratuities

On December 7, 2015, the Ontario government passed Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 With Respect to Tips and Other Gratuities (“Bill 12”). Bill 12 which subsequently received Royal Assent on December 10, 2015, will come into force on June 10, 2016. It will prohibit employers from withholding, making deductions…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Passes Workplace Law Reforms

On December 10, 2015, the Ontario government passed Bill 109, the Employment and Labour Statute Law Amendment Act, 2015 and Bill 144, the Budget Measures Act, 2015, two pieces of legislation that implement a number of reforms to various workplace laws. Among other things, Bill 109 amends: the labour relations provisions of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (“FPPA”) to incorporate…

Case In Point

Federal Court of Appeal Clarifies Employer Obligations to Investigate Workplace Violence Allegations under the Canada Labour Code

In a recent decision, Canada (Attorney General) v. Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal upheld a decision of the Federal Court which clarified an employer’s obligation to appoint an impartial “competent person” to investigate complaints of workplace violence. The Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (“Regulations”) require an employer to appoint…

Case In Point

Appeal Court Upholds $20,000 Damages Award for Discrimination on the Basis of Family Status

In this latest decision which considers discrimination on the basis of family status due to childcare issues, the Court of Appeal for Ontario upheld a trial judge’s finding that an appellant employer breached both the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) and the Human Rights Code (“Code”) when it terminated the employment of the respondent employee…