Late last week, the Ontario government amended a number of measures already introduced in light of COVID-19. It updated the “COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool” to include an expanded list of symptoms for which self-isolation is required. It made further orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act regarding health care, an expanded list of essential workers eligible for child care and seasonal campgrounds. The federal government provided more information on initiatives already underway, including with respect to the eligibility requirements for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
Insights
HR HealthCheck
In this edition of HR HealthCheck, we discuss a recent decision of the Ontario Divisional Court which considered the challenging issue of a nurse who suffers from an addiction disability and whose employment was terminated for theft of narcotics from the workplace.
FTR Quarterly
FTR Quarterly – Issue 12
· 12 min readIn This Issue: Year in Review – Key Human Resources Law Developments of 2018, The Road Ahead: Human Resources Trends and Issues to Watch in 2019 and more!
FTR Quarterly
FTR Quarterly – Issue 11
· 9 min readIn This Issue Considering Cannabis Coverage under Benefits Plans Recreational Cannabis and Your Workplace: Five Steps to Consider Featured Topic – Cannabis Expertise Featured Articles Considering Cannabis Coverage under Benefits Plans By: Natasha D. Monkman With the legalization of recreational cannabis on October 17, 2018, employers across Canada have been preparing to answer questions about whether…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Cannabis Act in Force October 17, 2018
· 1 min readThe federal government has announced October 17, 2018 as the date on which the Cannabis Act comes into force. The Act was passed by the Senate on June 19, 2018. For more information, see our FTR Now of June 20, 2018 “Cannabis Act In Force October 17, 2018: Preparing Your Workplace.” Editor’s Note: The Cannabis…
FTR Now
On June 19, 2018, the Senate passed Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act (Federal Act), which legalizes the consumption of recreational cannabis across Canada. The federal government has announced October 17, 2018 as the date it comes into force. Learn more about the new legislation and next steps for employers in this FTR Now.
Human Resources Legislative Update
Omnibus Healthcare Bill Passed
· 1 min readOn December 12, 2017, Bill 160, Strengthening Quality and Accountability for Patients Act, 2017, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill 160 is omnibus legislation which addresses the delivery of healthcare services in Ontario. It enacts the Health Sector Payment Transparency Act, 2017, Medical Radiation and Imaging Technology Act, 2017 and Oversight of Health Facilities…
Human Resources Legislative Update
On November 1, 2017, the Ontario government tabled Bill 174, Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017 omnibus legislation which would, if passed, regulate the cultivation, sale, distribution and consumption of cannabis in Ontario, enact the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 and make amendments to the Highway Traffic Act relating to impairment by cannabis and road safety. Among other things, the Bill provides the provincial framework for the federal Bill C-45, Cannabis Act.
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Tables Omnibus Healthcare Bill
· 3 min readOn September 27, 2017, the Ontario government tabled Bill 160, Strengthening Quality and Accountability for Patients Act, 2017, omnibus legislation which addresses the delivery of healthcare services in Ontario. If passed, Bill 160 would create the following statutes: The Health Sector Payment Transparency Act, which would require disclosure of information about financial relationships within the…
Case In Point
On June 28, 2017, a majority of the Supreme Court of Canada granted a worldwide interlocutory injunction against Google, requiring it to de-index websites of a distributor, Datalink. Datalink was using those websites to illegally sell intellectual property of another company and was also in breach of several court orders. The decision indicates that Canadian…
FTR Now
In Stewart v. Elk Valley Coal Corp., the Supreme Court of Canada has upheld a decision of the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal (Tribunal) which concluded that an employee who had a cocaine addiction was not dismissed because of that addiction; rather, he was dismissed for breaching his employer’s Alcohol, Illegal Drugs & Medical Policy (Policy)…
Case In Point
In a recent decision, Saadati v. Moorhead, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously held that proof of a recognized psychiatric injury is no longer necessary to award damages for mental injuries caused by negligence. Although this finding was made in the context of a personal injury case, it may have implications for employers. The plaintiff/appellant…
School Board Update
A Legislative and Case Law Update for School Boards
· 12 min readIn this latest edition of our School Board Update, we provide you with a brief overview of the significant changes recently proposed by the Ontario government to the employment and labour laws in our province…
Case In Point
In a recent decision, Ivic v. Lakovic, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed a claim against a taxi company whose driver allegedly sexually assaulted the appellant. The Court found that the alleged acts were only coincidentally connected to the taxi company and the company did not confer any power on the driver over the appellant….