Insights

Hicks Morley publishes a number of materials, both electronic and print, on issue-specific and sector-specific topics of interest to our clients. Our insights section has links to all of our various publications, updates and blogs, both current and historical, to keep you informed of developments in the law that impact human resources.


FTR Now

Emergency Order Allows First Responders Access to COVID-19 Information

· 3 min read By: Mark H. Mason

The Ontario government has made an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) which allows specified first responders to have access to “COVID-19 status information” about persons with whom they are coming into contact in the course of their duties. The government announced that the information will be used solely for the purpose of permitting first responders “to take appropriate safety precautions to protect themselves and the communities they serve.”

HR HealthCheck

Ontario Launches Portal to Match Health Care Workers with Health Care Employers

· 1 min read By: Craig S. Rix

On April 7, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it is launching the “Health Workforce Matching Portal”. The Portal will enable available health care workers to assist in the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by matching those workers with employers, such as hospitals, clinics and assessment centres, to help, for example, in public health functions such as case and contact management.

FTR Now

Significant Staffing and Deployment Flexibility Provided to Developmental Services Agencies to Alleviate the Effects of COVID-19

· 5 min read By: Daniel B. Fogel, Vincent M. Panetta, Charles V. Hofley

On April 3, 2020, the Ontario government issued an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) that applies to service agencies which provide services and supports to adults with developmental disabilities. Under the terms of the order, service agencies shall and are authorized to take, with respect to staffing and work deployment, any reasonably necessary measures to respond to, prevent and alleviate the outbreak of COVID-19.

FTR Now

Ontario Orders More Business Closures in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic; Clarifies Obligations of Businesses that Remain Open

· 4 min read By: Paul E. Broad

On April 3, 2020, the Ontario government announced that more businesses must close because they are no longer considered essential in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses must close effective tomorrow, Saturday April 4, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

FTR Now

Retirement Homes Given Staffing Powers in Light of COVID-19

· 2 min read By: Sarah A. Eves

On April 2, 2020, the Ontario government issued an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act authorizing every retirement home and licensee (within the meaning of the Retirements Homes Act, 2010) to take all reasonable steps necessary to respond to, prevent and alleviate the outbreak of COVID-19 in a retirement home.

FTR Now

New Canada Emergency Response Benefit and Tax Relief Measures

· 7 min read By: Natasha D. Monkman

Bill C-13, COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, received Royal Assent on March 25, 2020 after swift passage by Parliament and the Senate. This federal legislation implements the income support and other fiscal measures announced by the federal government on March 18, 2020.

Federal Post

New Leave Relating to COVID-19 under Canada Labour Code

· 4 min read By: Amy R. Tibble

On March 25, 2020, the federal government passed Bill C-13, COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, which contains various fiscal and other measures designed to deal expeditiously with the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Included among these measures is an amendment to the Canada Labour Code (Code) which provides an unpaid leave of up to 16 weeks for employees who are unable or unavailable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. The COVID-19 Leave came into force on March 25, 2020.