Case In Point

Appellate Court Considers Sale of Business and Duty to Mitigate

In Dussault v Imperial Oil Limited, the Ontario Court of Appeal found that two employees did not fail to mitigate their damages when they refused offers of employment from the purchaser of a former employer, as the employment that was offered was not “comparable.” Background In 2016, Imperial Oil sold its retail business to Mac’s…

Case In Point

Appellate Court Finds Waiver of Common Law Notice Valid, Considers Continuity of Service under ESA

In Ariss v NORR Limited Architects & Engineers, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a decision of a motion judge who considered the appellant’s entitlements under the common law and the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) upon termination. Background In 1986, the appellant began employment with a company which was sold to the respondent employer…

FTR Now

Ontario Proposes Significant Changes to Wage Restraint and Collective Bargaining in the Public Sector

Following through on a consultation process that was kicked off on April 4, 2019, the Ontario government has introduced legislation that, if passed, would significantly impact most broader public sector employers.

FTR Now

The End of Health and Welfare Trusts: Proposed Amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada)

On May 27, 2019, the federal Department of Finance announced proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) (ITA), to facilitate the conversion of existing Health and Welfare Trusts (HWTs) into Employee Life and Health Trusts (ELHTs), and to improve the existing ELHT rules. Comments on the proposed ITA amendments are invited by July 31, 2019…

Case In Point

WSIA “Employment Function” Mental Stress Exclusion Considered by Appellate Court

In Ontario Public Service Employees Union v. The Crown in Right of Ontario (Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services), the Divisional Court recently overturned a 2017 Grievance Settlement Board (GSB) decision that found the grievor’s right to a workplace free of harassment had been violated but that it had no jurisdiction to award damages…

School Board Update

School’s (Almost) Out! Our Final School Board Update for the 2018-2019 School Year

As another academic year draws to a close and we are finally getting a glimpse of summer, we bring you our last School Board Update of the Spring term. In it, we discuss two arbitration awards

Case In Point

Appellate Court Considers “Appropriate Means” Test Under Limitations Act and Reliance on “Non-Traditional” Expertise

In Presley v. Van Dusen, the Ontario Court of Appeal provided guidance on the statutory limitation period and the reliance on “non-traditional” experts. Background The appellant homeowners retained Van Dusen to install a septic system in 2010. There were problems with the operation of the system. The appellants called Van Dusen and he appeared to…