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

Ontario Budget 2019: Protecting What Matters Most – Key Human Resources Highlights

· 16 min read By: Natasha D. Monkman, Paul E. Broad

On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its 2019 Budget, Protecting What Matters Most (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 100, the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 (Bill 100).

The Budget outlines key initiatives around broader public sector compensation, reforms within the healthcare sector, registered pension plans, freedom of information, and more. In this FTR Now, we highlight the proposals that are of particular interest to employers, benefits plan administrators and human resources professionals.

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Budget 2019 Tabled

· 1 min read By: Hicks Morley

On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its Budget 2019, “Protecting What Matters Most.” We are reviewing the Budget and an FTR Now highlighting initiatives of interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators will be available shortly on our website.

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Government to Consult on Public Sector Compensation

· 3 min read By: Daniel B. Fogel, Pamela M. Hillen

On April 4, 2019, the President of the Treasury Board, Peter Bethlenfalvy, delivered a speech entitled The Path to Balance: Protecting What Matters Most in which he announced that the Ontario government will engage in consultations with public sector employers and bargaining agents on how to best manage compensation growth in the public sector. In…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Bill 66 Passes, Amends ESA, LRA and PBA

· 3 min read By: Natasha D. Monkman, Diana Holloway

On April 3, 2019, Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019, received Royal Assent. Bill 66 is omnibus legislation which amends various statutes, including the following employment-related statutes: Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) The ESA has been amended to remove the need for employers to obtain the approval of the Director of Employment Standards in…

Case In Point

Appellate Court Finds Preferential Treatment of WSIB Claimants in Workplace Not Discriminatory

· 5 min read By: Kate Shao

The Ontario Divisional Court recently released Carter v. FCA Canada Inc and Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, a decision which affirms that differential treatment between employees with work-related injuries and employees with non-work-related injuries is not discriminatory under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code). The applicant, who had a non-work-related injury, sought to return to…

FTR Now

Important Changes to Policing in Ontario

· 7 min read By: Glenn P. Christie

By Glenn Christie
With the passage of Bill 68, Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019 (Act), on March 26, 2019, policing in Ontario is set to undergo some important changes. These changes are not limited in their effect to police service boards, police associations and individuals who work in policing. They are also very important for municipalities and the wider community.

ESA Compliance Checklist

· 1 min read By: Hicks Morley

Employers are required to comply with the minimum standards set out in the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). In this Checklist, we provide a general overview of an employer’s ESA compliance obligations, along with checklists to assist you in assessing your degree of compliance.

Human Resources Legislative Update

Proposed OHSA Regulatory Changes for Automobile Manufacturing Plant Construction Projects

· 2 min read By: Scott T. Williams

The Ontario government has posted the following two proposed amendments to regulations made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) which pertain to automobile manufacturers and to construction firms which undertake construction projects on behalf of owners of automobile manufacturing plants

Human Resources Legislative Update

Bill 66 Ordered for Third Reading with Committee Changes to Non-Construction Employer Provisions of LRA

· 2 min read By: Pamela M. Hillen

On March 21, 2019, Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019, was referred for Third Reading in the Ontario Legislature by the Standing Committee on General Government, with amendments. Bill 66 is omnibus legislation that, if passed, will amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA) and the Pension…

Case In Point

Ontario Court of Appeal Provides Guidance on Deterrence and Sentencing in OHSA Fatality Case

· 3 min read By: Allison E. MacIsaac

A recent decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal, Ontario (Labour) v. New Mex Canada Inc., confirms that it will only be in the rarest of cases where a jail sentence is seen to be appropriate in an occupational health and safety case, considering the weight the principle of deterrence should have on sentences given…