Human Resources Legislative Update

Adverse Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccines: Employers’ WSIB Reporting Obligations and Claim Costs

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) recently clarified its position with respect to the coverage of claims for COVID-19 vaccine reactions. Specifically, the WSIB FAQ section was updated with respect to employers’ reporting obligations regarding adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines as well as the impact of costs associated with COVID-19 vaccination claims. The recent…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Tables Omnibus Legislation with Proposed Amendments to Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Class Proceedings Act, 1992

On April 15, 2021, the Ontario government tabled Bill 276, Supporting Recovery and Competitiveness Act, 2021, omnibus legislation which would, if passed, amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and the Class Proceedings Act, 1992, as well as a number of other statutes. Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) Bill 276 would amend the payment of wages…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Federal Budget 2021 Tabled

On April 19, 2021, the federal government tabled its Budget 2021, “A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth and Resilience”. We are currently reviewing the Budget and an FTR Now detailing initiatives of interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators will be available in the coming days.

FTR Now

Proposed New PBGF Disclosure Requirements

On April 15, 2021, the Ontario government released draft amendments to Ontario Regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act (PBA), which provide new details of the Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund (PBGF) reporting requirements that will soon apply to registered pension plan administrators with Ontario members. In this FTR Now, we highlight the key details of…

FTR Now

Ontario Extends Stay-at-Home Order; Implements Further Restrictions

On April 16, 2021, the Ontario government extended the declared emergency made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) as well as the Stay-at-Home Order until May 5, 2021. Additional restrictions for the Rules for Areas in Stage 1 (Shutdown Zone), made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020,…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2021

On October 1, 2021, the general minimum wage in Ontario will increase from $14.25 to $14.35 per hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates will also increase for the following employees: students: from $13.40 to $13.50 an hour liquor servers: from $12.45 to $12.55 an hour homeworkers: from $15.70 to $15.80…

Human Resources Legislative Update

WSIA Calculation for Premium Payable by Employers for 2021 Amended

On April 14, 2021, Bill 238, Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2021, received Royal Assent and came into force. Bill 238 amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) to add a calculation rate for the 2021 calendar year (or such later date as prescribed by regulation) for the Workplace Safety and Insurance…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Amends Rules for Shutdown Zone Regarding School Closures and Limited Circumstances in Which They May Operate

The Ontario government has amended the Rules for Areas in Stage 1 to give effect to its recent announcement regarding the closure of public and private elementary and secondary schools, among other things. As a general rule, Ontario Regulation 278/21 amends the Shutdown Zone rules to require closure of all public and private schools within…

Reaching Out

Reaching Out – Fifteenth Edition

Dear Friends, We are back with another edition of Reaching Out. With 2020 behind us and some light at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic tunnel, we thought it appropriate to reconnect with our Social Services clients with a Spring edition of Reaching Out. We chose not to publish Reaching Out last year as we…

HR HealthCheck

Ontario Makes Emergency Order to Permit Redeployment of Health Professionals by LHINs and Ontario Health

On April 9, 2021, the Ontario government announced that it has made two orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). The first order relates to the redeployment of certain health care professionals and other workers to hospitals. The second order relates to the transfer of patients to alternative sites. The government states…