Human Resources Legislative Update

Live-Saving Defibrillator Device Required on Construction Projects in 2026

A recent amendment to the Construction Projects Regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act) requires that construction projects install and maintain an Automated External Defibrillator, and the necessary accessories to use the machine. A defibrillator, or “AED,” is a life-saving device which can be used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. While training is…

Case In Point

Arbitrator Upholds For-Cause Termination of Tenured University Professor for Sexual Harassment of Graduate Student

In a significant decision for post-secondary institutions, Arbitrator Leslie Reaume has upheld the for-cause termination of a tenured university professor at Brock University for the sexual harassment of a graduate student. The ruling sends a clear message that the power imbalance in supervisory relationships is not an invitation for inappropriate conduct. Sexually charged and personally…

FTR Now

Ontario Superior Court Upholds Termination Clause Limiting Employee to ESA Minimums in Li v. Wayfair Canada Inc.

Is ‘At Any Time’ Still Enforceable Post-Dufault? The Ontario Superior Court says “yes” in Li v. Wayfair Canada Inc. In our latest FTR Now, Hicks Morley’s Edward O’Dwyer and Kelly Brennan review the case and provide key takeaways for employers.

Federal Post

Federal Government Launches Consultation on Proposed Regulatory Amendments to New Leave Provisions Under the Canada Labour Code

The #federalgovernment published proposed regulatory amendments that would implement significant changes to leave entitlements for federally regulated employees. The proposed regulations support the implementation of the three new leave provisions introduced in the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, which received royal assent on June 20, 2024.

Case In Point

Ontario Court of Appeal Grants Leave to Appeal Acquittal in Benevides Decision, Opening Door to Expanded Workplace Safety Liability for Incidental Construction Workers

On June 9, 2025 the Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision in Ontario (Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development) v. Benevides, granting leave to appeal the provincial offences appeal judge’s decision to the Court of Appeal. Background This case stems from a construction site incident that occurred in April of 2020 where eight spools…

Reaching Out

Summer 2025 Updates for Social Services Employers

It has been a few unsettling months, and it looks like there will be more to come. We hope that you are able to find some time this summer to relax and recharge. Before you do, we wanted to bring to your attention some developments that may be important for your social services organization in the hopes it will make managing workplace issues easier.

Human Resources Legislative Update

Federal Government Publishes Revised Standard on Accessible Employment under the Accessible Canada Act

On May 29, 2025, Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) announced its publication of a revised Accessibility Standard on Employment (Standard) under its mandate pursuant to the Accessible Canada Act (Act). The revised Standard, CAN/ASC-1.1:2024 (REV-2025), replaces the original version released in December 2024. Background The Act came into force on July 11, 2019, establishing ASC as…

FTR Now

Ontario Introduces Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025

On May 28, 2025, the Ontario government introduced Bill 30, the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (Bill 30). Bill 30 continues the province’s ongoing “Working for Workers” legislative initiative, proposing significant amendments to various employment-related statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.