FTR Now

Amended Ontario Budget Bill Passes

INTRODUCTION Earlier today, the Ontario Legislature passed the government’s Budget bill – Bill 55, the Strong Action for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2012. In this FTR Now, we will consider the status of the government’s Budget measures generally, and review the key changes adopted by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (the “Committee”)…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Amended Ontario Budget Bill Passes Third Reading, Receives Royal Assent

On June 20, 2012, Bill 55, Strong Action for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2012 (“Bill 55”) passed Third Reading, as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (“Committee”). Among other matters, proposed amendments to interest arbitration processes under a variety of statutes were deleted from the Bill, including the Ambulance Services Collective…

Human Resources Legislative Update

House of Commons Passes the Federal Budget Implementation Bill (C-38)

On June 18, 2012, after voting on over 800 proposed amendments, the House of Commons passed Bill C-38, Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, the omnibus legislation intended to give effect to certain key initiatives outlined in its Budget 2012. Bill C-38 now moves to the Senate for review and confirmation. For more information about…

FTR Now

Gender Identity, Gender Expression now Protected by Ontario Human Rights Code

On June 13, 2012, the Ontario legislature passed an amendment to the Ontario Human Rights Code which extends protection against discrimination on the grounds of gender identity or gender expression. The amendment was proposed in a Private Member Bill and received support of all three parties. This FTR Now discusses the amendment and its implications…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Bill Adds Gender Identity, Gender Expression to Human Rights Code

On June 13, 2012, a Private Member Bill with three-party support passed at Third Reading, as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. Bill 33, Toby’s Act (Right to be Free from Discrimination and Harassment Because of Gender Identity or Gender Expression), 2012 amends the Human Rights Code to specify that every person has…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Employers Required to Post New OHSA Poster

The Ontario government has announced that employers are now required to post a new workplace poster, “Health & Safety at Work – Prevention Starts Here,” pursuant to their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This requirement will be enforced by Ministry of Labour inspectors beginning on October 1, 2012. The poster was developed…

Human Resources Legislative Update

OHSA Designated Substances, Exposure Limits Regulations Amended

On June 12, 2012, the Ontario government filed two regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. O. Reg. 148/12 (Designated Substances) adds  “or to a physician designated by the Provincial Physician” to subsections 30(2) and 31(2) of O. Reg. 490/09, effective immediately. It further substitutes a new Table 1 (Exposure Limits) prescribing Agents and…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Changes to WSIB Insurance Fund to Come into Force January 2013

The Ontario government has proclaimed subsections 1(2), 2(2), 3(2) and 5(1) of Schedule 21 of the Helping Ontario Families and Managing Responsibly Act, 2010, which amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, into force on January 1, 2013. Among other things, the amendments provide for changes to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s insurance…