Are mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies in hospitals reasonable? Arbitrator says “yes” in Ontario Nurses’ Association v. Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. In this FTR Now, Hicks Morley’s Andrew Zabrovsky and Amanda Cohen discuss the reasoning of each party and review the decision.
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 Launches the Protect Ontario Financial Program with $1 Billion in Support to Sectors Impacted by Ongoing Tariff Disputes
How does Ontario’s new program look out for your business in the face of ongoing U.S. tariffs? In this FTR Now, Hicks Morley’s Mornelle Lee discusses the implication of the program in today’s economic context and actions employers can take now to be ready for the program.
Human Resources Legislative Update
New FIPPA Privacy Requirements Take Effect for Ontario Public Sector Institutions
Schedule 2 of the Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024 (Bill 194), came into effect on July 1, 2025. The legislation introduced significant amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) including enhanced compliance obligations.
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.
FTR Now
Facebook Canada’s Equity Forfeiture Provision Receives a “Like” From an Ontario Court
Employers using equity-based compensation should take note of this recent decision by the Ontario Superior Court in Wigdor v. Facebook Canada Ltd. In this FTR Now, Hicks Morley’s Alex Lemoine provides three key takeaways around termination provisions in employment and compensation agreements.
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.