Common Ground? Class Action Updates

Alberta Court Permits Disclosure of City’s Workplace Sexual Misconduct Class-Action Settlement, Revealing $9.5 Million Payment to 155 Women

The Court of King’s Bench of Alberta has permitted disclosure of settlement details in a class action lawsuit against the City of Leduc, revealing a payment of over $9.5 million to 155 female employees who experienced workplace sexual misconduct. This case represents both one of the highest compensation per person for workplace sexual misconduct claims…

Case In Point

Ontario’s Human Rights Tribunal Dismisses Discrimination Claim Against Union’s Women-Only Job Posting Under Special Program Provisions in the Code

Employers seeking to initiate equitable hiring strategies may wonder whether such programs are “legal”, given the current political climate in the United States. A recent decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario contains important reminders.

FTR Now

No Presumption Without Exposure: WSIAT Reverses WSIB Entitlement for Mesothelioma, Finding No Evidence of Asbestos Exposure in Caretaker Role

In a recent decision, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) found that a caretaker’s duties at a large public sector employer did not involve asbestos exposure.

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Government Introduces Municipal Accountability Act, 2025

On May 01, 2025, the Ontario government announced Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025 (Bill 9). Bill 9 re-introduces legislation originally proposed under Bill 241, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2024, that was not enacted prior to the provincial election. If passed, Bill 9 would enable the creation of a new, standardized municipal code of…

Case In Point

Arbitrator Upholds Benefits Related Grievance: “Generic Substitute” Does Not Limit Reimbursement to “Lowest Cost” Drug Per Collective Agreement

In Hydro One Inc. v The Society of United Workers, Arbitrator John Stout upheld a grievance against Hydro One for violating its Collective Agreement. Hydro One had limited reimbursement of prescription drug expenses to only the lowest cost generic medication, rather than covering the full cost of generic medications prescribed by physicians. This limitation was…

FTR Now

Arbitrator Dismisses Faculty Grievance over Bill 124 Wage Dispute: No Arbitral Jurisdiction Without Reopener Provision in Collective Agreement

In a recent labour arbitration decision, Arbitrator William Kaplan dismissed a grievance filed against Wilfrid Laurier University (University) by the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (the Association) on behalf of its Contract Teaching Faculty (CTF) bargaining unit. This decision provides important guidance on the limits of an arbitrator’s jurisdiction in addressing legislative constraints on collective…

FTR Now

Ontario Announces Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025

The Ontario government introduced Bill 2, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025. Framed as a defensive strategy, Bill 2 aims to boost interprovincial trade in response to U.S. tariff pressures.

Case In Point

The Ontario Court of Appeal Provides Another Caution to Employers Drafting Employment Contracts: Actual Language is Paramount—Not Intent

In a recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Court upheld the lower court’s decision finding that the termination clause in the employment contract was offside of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and that as a result, the employee was entitled to common law reasonable notice.

FTR Now

Canada Heads to the Polls: Employers’ Obligation to Provide Paid Time Off to Vote in the Upcoming Federal Election

A federal election has been called for April 28, 2025 (election day). As the candidates hit the campaign trail and election day rapidly approaches, this FTR Now provides guidance to employers on their obligations to their employees under the Canada Elections Act (Act).