Human Resources Legislative Update

ESA Compliance Blitz to Target Temporary Workers, Agencies

Throughout June, July and August of 2012, the Ontario government will be conducting targeted inspections of temporary employee agencies across the province to ensure compliance with the Employment Standards Act, 2000. The blitz will focus on the following: minimum wage; vacation pay; public holidays, including time off and public holiday pay; and rules related to…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Bill 77, Labour Relations Amendment Act (Fairness for Employees), 2012

On May 3, 2012, Bill 77, Labour Relations Amendment Act (Fairness for Employees), 2012, a Private Member’s Bill, passed at Second Reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs; the Bill was considered on June 7, 2012. Bill 77 proposes a number of amendments to the Labour Relations Act, 1995…

Human Resources Legislative Update

New WSIB Insurance Fund, Temporary Indexing Regulations Filed

On June 5, 2012, the Ontario government filed O. Reg 141/12 “Insurance Fund,” made under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (“Act”). In part, the regulation requires the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) to ensure the insurance fund meets the following sufficiency ratios by the following dates: 60 per cent on or before December…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Amended Ontario Anti-Bullying Bill Passes Third Reading

On June 5, 2012, Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, 2012, passed at Third Reading. As previously reported, Bill 13 was extensively amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. With the exception of the amendments outlined in section 7 (Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week), Bill 13 will come into force on September 1, 2012….

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Establishes New Class Size Limits

On June 4, 2012, the Ontario government filed a new class size regulation under the Education Act. O. Reg. 132/12 (Class Size) defines a number of terms, including: “class size” in relation to elementary and secondary schools; co-operative education class; course; cycle; instructional day; part-time; and transfer course. As outlined in the Ministry of Education’s…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Government Launches Safety Blitzes

On June 1, 2012, the Ontario government launched a month-long safety blitz targeted at improving the safety of workers at road work and construction sites. Inspectors from the Ministry of Labour will ensure proper traffic control measures are in place when vehicles and large pieces of mobile equipment are on site. Specifically, inspectors will check…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Announces Consultations to Enhance BPS Pension Fund Investment Efficiencies

Further to initiatives first announced in its 2012 Budget, the Ontario government has appointed a special Pension Investment Advisor, Bill Morneau, to develop recommendations for the government’s consideration through a public consultation process in anticipation of a new legislative framework that will facilitate the pooling of pension fund assets in the broader public sector (“BPS”)….

FTR Now

Court finds Discipline of Students for Online Comments about Professor to be Unreasonable

Are students entitled to use social networking sites to criticize the instruction they receive? The University of Calgary said "no" and disciplined the students who did. In the case of Pridgen v. University of Calgary, released May 9, 2012, the Alberta Court of Appeal found that the University’s decision to discipline the students was unreasonable….

Human Resources Legislative Update

Amended Ontario Anti-Bullying Bill Ordered for Third Reading

On May 30, 2012, Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, 2012, was reported back to the House as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. The proposed Committee amendments are extensive. Of particular note, Bill 13 now: contains a revised definition of “bullying”; adopts a definition of “cyber-bullying” that essentially tracks the definition proposed…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Federal Pooled Registered Pension Plan (“PRPP”) Legislation Reported Back to House

On May 28, 2012, Bill C-25, An Act relating to pooled registered pension plans and making related amendments to other Acts was reported back as amended to the House of Commons following its consideration by the Standing Committee on Finance, and the House passed a motion concurring with the report. Third reading of Bill C-25…