FTR Now

Ensuring a Safe Holiday Party

The holiday season is a time for celebration. For many of us, this may include workplace celebrations. All employers, big or small, should ensure that in addition to traditional party logistics, they take the time to develop a plan for providing a healthy and safe environment for employees and guests at any workplace celebrations.

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario’s Bill 132 Referred to Committee, Includes Proposed Amendments to PBA

On November 7, 2019, Bill 132, Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2019 (Bill 132), passed Second Reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. Bill 132 is omnibus legislation which, if passed, will amend a number of statutes, including the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (PBA). Proposed amendments to the PBA…

FTR Now

Update on Ontario Government Wage Restraint Initiatives

In this FTR Now, we look at the amendments made to the Bill and their impact on collective bargaining and non-union wage review activities that may have occurred since the Bill was first tabled. We also discuss the government’s recently announced plan regarding “designated executives” under the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act, 2014 (BPSECA).

Human Resources Legislative Update

Proposed Public Sector Wage Restraint Legislation Referred to Committee

On October 31, 2019, Bill 124, Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019, passed Second Reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. The Committee will meet on Monday, November 4, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for public hearings on…

Case In Point

Ontario Superior Court Affirms that Pension Payments to a Non-Member Spouse Cease Upon Death

In Meloche v. Meloche, the Ontario Superior Court held that, following a pension division under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (PBA), payments do not continue to the estate of a non-member spouse who predeceases the member spouse. The parties separated in 2017 after 30 years of marriage. The respondent teacher retired in 2015, and elected…

FTR Quarterly

FTR Quarterly – Issue 14

In This Issue An Update on Reasonable Notice Periods An Update on Executive Compensation Through the Notice Period Featured Lawyer – Kimberly D. Pepper Featured Topic – Employment Law Featured Articles An Update on Reasonable Notice Periods By: Mitchell R. Smith and Evon Gayle Determining an employee’s reasonable notice upon termination of employment used to…

HR HealthCheck

Ransomware Attack on Three Ontario Hospitals Highlights a Growing Cybersecurity Risk

Three Ontario hospitals were recently targeted in ransomware attacks that highlight the emerging risk of cyberattacks on public institutions and healthcare providers. The CBC first reported these attacks, which are the latest in a growing list of public institutions whose computer systems are infiltrated by hackers. Are you prepared? Learn more in this HR HealthCheck.

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario to Consult on New Public Sector Benefits Pooling Model

The Treasury Board Secretariat has announced that it will begin consultations this year on a new benefits pooling model for broader public sector participants. The government consulted with public sector employers and bargaining agents in the spring and summer of this year about how to achieve reasonable public sector compensation growth, and a centralized benefits…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Budding Industry: Amendments to Cannabis Regulations Legalizing Edible Cannabis Coming Into Force

On October 17, 2019, one year after Canada legalized the sale and purchase of dried and fresh cannabis, oil, seeds, and plants, the government of Canada’s amendments to the Cannabis Regulations made under the federal Cannabis Act will come into force, establishing rules for the legal production and sale of three new classes of cannabis….