FTR Now

Important Amendments Made to the Temporary Help Agency and Recruiter Licensing Framework in Ontario

On July 1, 2023, a new licensing regime was introduced under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 for any temporary help agency (THA) or recruiter operating in Ontario. Of significant concern to many recruiters and THAs was the requirement to provide a $25,000 irrevocable line of credit in order to be licensed. While the new regime…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Firefighter and “Super Indexing” Amendments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 in Force May 1, 2024, and More

On May 1, 2024, the following amendments made to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) by Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act, 2024, will come into force. Additional Indexing Factor The WSIA currently permits annual adjustments to Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits on the basis of an indexing factor, as…

FTR Now

Ontario Proposes Changes to Sick Leave Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000

The Ontario government has announced it is proposing changes that would restrict an employer from requiring a medical note to substantiate an unpaid sick leave day under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). Currently, an employee who has been employed for at least two consecutive weeks is entitled to up to three days of unpaid…

Case In Point

Supreme Court of Canada: Exclusion of Managers from Definition of “Employee” in Québec Labour Code Does Not Violate the Charter

On April 19, 2024, the Supreme Court rendered Société des casinos du Québec inc. v. Association des cadres de la Société des casinos du Québec in which it concluded that the exclusion of managers from the definition of “employee” in the Québec Labour Code (Code) does not violate the right to freedom of association found…

FTR Now

Federal Budget 2024 Tabled

On April 16, 2024, the federal government tabled its 2024 Budget, “Fairness for Every Generation” (Budget). While much of the Budget is focused on topics such as housing, strengthening the economy and making the cost of living more affordable, it also includes a number of initiatives that will have implications for employers, pension plan administrators…

Safe Sport

Understanding “Safe Sport” Sanctions and Disciplinary Issues Under the Universal Code of Conduct

Introduction Disciplinary issues and related sanctions can arise in any organization, but they can be especially challenging to navigate in relation to safe sport. The federal government has committed to addressing harassment, discrimination and abuse in sport by requiring all federally funded sport organizations to adopt the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Seeks Feedback on the Introduction of a Leave of Absence for Long-Term Illness

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has announced a consultation on the potential introduction of an unpaid leave of absence under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) of up to 27 weeks for employees experiencing serious or critical illness. This would arise either through the creation of a new leave or…

FTR Now

Highlights of the 2024 Ontario Budget

On March 26, 2024, the Ontario government tabled its 2024 budget, “Building a Better Ontario” (Budget) and Bill 180, Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 (Bill 180). In this FTR Now, we highlight information contained in the Budget and Bill 180 that is of broad interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension…

Case In Point

Ontario Divisional Court Finds Arbitrator’s Decision to Reinstate Terminated Grievors Was “Fatally Flawed”

On April 2, 2024, the Ontario Divisional Court released its decision in Metrolinx v. Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1587, which was a judicial review of an arbitration decision rendered by the Grievance Settlement Board (GSB). The Court found that the decision of the arbitrator, in which he reinstated five grievors whose employment had been terminated…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Seeking Comments on Proposed Regulations Under the Connecting Care Act, 2019

On March 28, 2024, the Ontario government posted Proposed New Regulations and Amendments to Regulations under the Connecting Care Act, 2019 and other Acts for comment from stakeholders. The proposed regulations would support changes to the Connecting Care Act, 2019 (CCA) as amended by the Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023, which have not yet…