Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Government Introduces Municipal Accountability Act, 2025

On May 01, 2025, the Ontario government announced Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025 (Bill 9). Bill 9 re-introduces legislation originally proposed under Bill 241, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2024, that was not enacted prior to the provincial election. If passed, Bill 9 would enable the creation of a new, standardized municipal code of…

Case In Point

Arbitrator Upholds Benefits Related Grievance: “Generic Substitute” Does Not Limit Reimbursement to “Lowest Cost” Drug Per Collective Agreement

In Hydro One Inc. v The Society of United Workers, Arbitrator John Stout upheld a grievance against Hydro One for violating its Collective Agreement. Hydro One had limited reimbursement of prescription drug expenses to only the lowest cost generic medication, rather than covering the full cost of generic medications prescribed by physicians. This limitation was…

FTR Now

Arbitrator Dismisses Faculty Grievance over Bill 124 Wage Dispute: No Arbitral Jurisdiction Without Reopener Provision in Collective Agreement

In a recent labour arbitration decision, Arbitrator William Kaplan dismissed a grievance filed against Wilfrid Laurier University (University) by the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (the Association) on behalf of its Contract Teaching Faculty (CTF) bargaining unit. This decision provides important guidance on the limits of an arbitrator’s jurisdiction in addressing legislative constraints on collective…

FTR Now

Ontario Announces Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025

The Ontario government introduced Bill 2, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025. Framed as a defensive strategy, Bill 2 aims to boost interprovincial trade in response to U.S. tariff pressures.

Case In Point

The Ontario Court of Appeal Provides Another Caution to Employers Drafting Employment Contracts: Actual Language is Paramount—Not Intent

In a recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Court upheld the lower court’s decision finding that the termination clause in the employment contract was offside of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and that as a result, the employee was entitled to common law reasonable notice.

FTR Now

Canada Heads to the Polls: Employers’ Obligation to Provide Paid Time Off to Vote in the Upcoming Federal Election

A federal election has been called for April 28, 2025 (election day). As the candidates hit the campaign trail and election day rapidly approaches, this FTR Now provides guidance to employers on their obligations to their employees under the Canada Elections Act (Act).

Safe Sport

New Canadian Safe Sport Program Rules in Effect as of April 1, 2025

New Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP) Rules are now in effect – what does this mean for federally funded sport organizations? As of April 1, 2025, the new CSSP Rules apply to national national-level sport organizations, with significant updates around administration and compliance. In this Safe Sport, Brittany Bates, Frank Cesario, and Kayley Leon breakdown what’s changed and how organizations can ensure they meet the new standards.

FTR Now

Federal Government Publishes Temporary Employment Insurance Measures Addressing Economic Impacts From Tariffs

On April 9, the Federal Government released the full text of the temporary Employment Insurance Regulations (Pilot Project No. 24), addressing the economic impacts from the tariffs. In this FTR Now, Andrew Easto explores what these temporary changes mean for impacted workers and employers.

FTR Now

Ontario Court of Appeal Denies Crown Leave to Appeal, Affirms City of Greater Sudbury Exercised Due Diligence in Workplace Fatality

The Ontario Court of Appeal has denied the Crown’s motion for leave to appeal, finding the City of Greater Sudbury successfully exercised due diligence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In this FTR Now, Stephanie Jeronimo and Allison E. MacIsaac explore the Court’s reasoning and what it means for employers moving forward.