Preventing Workplace Violence and Harassment – A Guide for Ontario Employers

In this Preventing Workplace Violence and Harassment Guide, we provide an overview of the workplace violence and harassment provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and outline what employers need to do in order to comply, including the development of policies and programs, conducting risk assessments and more.

FTR Now

Ontario Announces Significant Health Care Reform

On February 26, 2019 the Ontario government tabled Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, which includes the introduction of the Connecting Care Act, 2019. If passed, the legislation will allow for the creation of a central agency, Ontario Health, to oversee the health care system across the province, as well as the creation of integrated care delivery systems. In this FTR Now we provide an overview of the proposed legislation, with an emphasis on the labour and employment implications for health service providers.

Case In Point

Supreme Court of Canada Grants Appeal in Case Which Considered Constructive Dismissal, Long-Term Incentive Plan Entitlements and Duty of Good Faith

The Supreme Court of Canada has granted leave to appeal from a decision which considered long-term incentive plan entitlements as part of a constructive dismissal claim, and, in the dissent, the duty of good faith and honesty in the performance of employment contacts. In Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. v. Matthews, an employee resigned from employment…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Federal Government to Study Further Changes to Canada Labour Code

Following recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code, the federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour has announced the creation of an expert panel tasked with the study of additional matters relating to the “changing nature of work.” This expert panel is to report back to the Minister by June 30, 2019 on the…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Government Announces Consultation on Pay Transparency Reporting Requirements

On February 19, 2019, the Ministry of Labour invited feedback on its Pay Transparency Consultation Paper to assist it in the development of regulatory pay transparency reporting requirements under the Pay Transparency Act, 2018 (Act). The coming into force date of that Act was postponed indefinitely by Bill 57, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act,…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Government Invites Comments on Proposed Amendments to Mines and Mining Plants Regulation under OHSA

The Ministry of Labour is proposing various amendments to Regulation 854 (Mines and Mining Plants) made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Regulation 854 applies to all mines, mining plants, and mining development in Ontario. It sets out sector-specific requirements protecting the health and safety of workers. The Ministry has prepared a consultation…

School Board Update

Supreme Court Privacy Case Affirms the Importance of School Safety

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Canada held that a teacher committed the crime of voyeurism by surreptitiously recording images of female high school students. In finding that the students had a reasonable expectation of privacy, the Court relied on the trust imposed on teachers and the need for a safe and orderly school environment – a positive for school boards.

Case In Point

An Update on the Status of Family Status – Just in Time for Family Day

In a recent decision released by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Tribunal found that an employer discriminated against the Applicant, a personal support worker, by failing to accommodate her special childcare needs. The Tribunal found that the Applicant’s employment was terminated at least in part because she was unable to offer more flexible hours due to her childcare obligations. The Tribunal awarded a remedy of $30,000 in compensation for injury to the Applicant’s dignity, feelings and self-respect.