FTR Now

Ontario Budget 2014

On Monday, July 14, 2014, the newly elected Liberal government introduced the 2014 Ontario Budget. As was pledged by Premier Wynne during the election campaign, the new Budget is virtually identical to the version that was first tabled on Thursday, May 1, 2014 (and which triggered the recent election). The newly tabled Budget is still…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Government Re-Introduces Budget 2014, New Budget Bill

On July 14, 2014, the Ontario government re-introduced its 2014 Budget, entitled Building Opportunity, Securing Our Future (the “Budget”). On the same day, it tabled Bill 14, Building Opportunity and Securing Our Future Act (Budget Measures), 2014. The amendments outlined in Bill 14 are similar, but not identical, to measures proposed in the May 2014 Budget Bill…

FTR Now

Ontario Re-Introduces BPS Accountability, Transparency Legislation (Formerly Bill 179)

On July 8, 2014, the Ontario government re-introduced broader public sector (“BPS”) accountability and transparency legislation. If passed, proposed measures in Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, would give the government the authority to create comprehensive compensation frameworks for certain employers in the BPS, and would implement a number…

Case In Point

Common Law Notice – Can Employers Deduct STD and LTD Payments?

As demonstrated by the Ontario Superior Court’s recent decision in Diamantopoulos v. KPMG LLP (“KPMG“), the answer to this question is still “it depends.” In determining the issue, courts will look at a number of contextual factors to determine “the intention of the parties” when they entered the employment agreement. In KPMG, the plaintiff commenced a…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Re-Introduces Education Act amendments in New Child Care Oversight Bill (Formerly Bill 143)

On July 10, 2014, the Ontario government re-introduced omnibus legislation that would substantially reform the education system in Ontario. If passed, Bill 10, the Child Care Modernization Act, 2014, would enact the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, amend the Education Act and the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, and repeal the Day Nurseries…

FTR Now

Ontario Human Rights Commission Releases New Policy on Mental Disabilities and Addictions

One of the most significant challenges facing employers today involves identifying, managing and accommodating mental health and addiction issues in the workplace. In June 2014, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) issued a new policy dealing with this issue. The new policy, entitled Policy on preventing discrimination based on mental health disabilities and addictions,…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Re-Introduces BPS Accountability, Transparency Legislation (Formerly Bill 179)

On July 8, 2014, the Ontario government re-introduced broader public sector (“BPS”) accountability and transparency legislation. If passed, proposed measures in Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, identified in the government’s press release would, among other matters: authorize the government to directly control compensation of senior executives in the BPS by…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Education Act Regulatory Amendments Filed (Full Day Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten and Extended Day/Third Party Programs)

O. Reg. 137/14 (Full Day Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten), amending O. Reg. 224/10 made under the Education Act, was filed on June 26, 2014. O. Reg. 137/14 adds a definition of “French immersion” and sets out specific circumstances in which a board is not required to operate full day junior kindergarten or full day kindergarten. O….

Human Resources Legislative Update

Government Employees Compensation Act Third Party Claim Amendments in Force as of June 13, 2014

The federal government has fixed June 13, 2014 as the date that Division 20 of Part 4 of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act (“Act”) comes into force.  Among other things, Division 20 of Part 4 of the Act amends the Government Employees Compensation Act (“GECA”) with respect to the administration of third party claims by…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Amendments Made to Federal Occupational Health and Safety Regulations

The federal government has registered two amending regulations made under the Canada Labour Code: Regulations Amending the Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (Miscellaneous Program) and Regulations Amending the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (Miscellaneous Program) (“Regulations”). The purpose of the Regulations is, among other things, to clarify inconsistencies between their French…