The Ontario Court of Appeal has, for the first time, considered the constitutionality of back to work legislation under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter). As Canadian courts have previously recognized, section 2(d) of the Charter protects the rights of workers to advance their workplace goals through a collective bargaining process and to…
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.
Case In Point
“No News” May Not Mean “No New Employment”: Settlement Drafting Lessons From Cross v. Cooling Tower Maintenance Inc.
When it comes to settlement agreements, precision is non-negotiable. In this article, Justin Jalea explores the recent Cross v. Cooling Tower maintenance Inc. decision and provides important reminders for employers drafting settlement agreements involving salary continuance and clawback provisions.
FTR Now
Year in Review: Notable Labour and Employment Law Decisions From 2025
Our annual Year in Review is here. In this article, Lesley Campbell, Ryan Freeman, Amanda Cohen, Rhonda B. Levy, and Owais Hashmi outline the most influential labour and employment decisions of 2025 and highlight two upcoming rulings that employers can expect to plan for the year ahead
Case In Point
Nova Scotia Court Finds Cross-Canada Termination Clause Unenforceable: A Cautionary Tale for Multi-Jurisdiction Employers
Jurisdiction matters when drafting cross-country contracts. In this article, we examine the Brocklehurst v Micco Companies decision where Micco’s termination clause was found unenforceable under Nova Scotia legislation and explore the broader implications for employers to ensure provisions are precise and effective across Canada.
FTR Now
From Kickoff to Contracts: FIFA Hiring Done Right
Toronto is gearing up for FIFA World Cup 2026™ — are your recruitment practices ready for the expansion and beyond? In this article, Kayley C. Leon outlines key employment standards considerations for hiring employers and discusses the temporary work permit exemption for select FIFA-invited foreign workers.
Federal Post
Federal Government Reminds Federally Regulated Employers About Harassment and Violence Policy Compliance
Are your harassment and violence prevention policies up to date? George Vuicic breaks down the federal government’s recent reminder and what federally regulated employers should revisit to ensure continued compliance in the year ahead.
Human Resources Legislative Update
Important Changes to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act Take Effect January 1, 2026
New Occupational Health and Safety Act updates take effect January 1, 2026. In this article, we outline the latest requirements impacting construction projects, sanitation records, public sector procurement, and enforcement measures that employers and constructors need to know.
FTR Now
New Year, New Rules: Ontario Job Posting Requirements Take Effect January 1, 2026
New employment standards governing job postings are coming on January 1. Are you ready? Carey O’Connor, Jessica Toldo and Larissa Putt outline the expanded obligations and actions employers can take now.
School Board Update
Ontario Overhauls Background Checks For School Board Personnel
Ontario has introduced new background check requirements for school boards under Ontario Regulation 298/25. Dolores Barbini and Andrew Movrin explore what boards can do now to ensure compliance.
Federal Post
Major Changes to Federal Leaves Take Effect on December 12, 2025
Significant amendments to leave provisions under the Canada Labour Code will soon take effect, expanding entitlements for federally regulated employees and introducing new compliance obligations for employers. George Vuicic outlines what federally regulated employers need to do now to remain compliant.