FTR Now

In a recent decision, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) found that a caretaker’s duties at a large public sector employer did not involve asbestos exposure.

Human Resources Legislative Update

The federal government has announced a “Consultation on the Employment Equity Act Modernization” (Consultation) further to the final report (Final Report) tabled by the Employment Equity Act Review Task Force in December 2023. At the time the Final Report was tabled, the Minister of Labour announced the government’s initial commitments to modernize the Employment Equity…

Federal Post

On December 11, 2023, the federal Employment Equity Act Review Task Force (Task Force) released its final report titled A Transformative Framework to Achieve and Sustain Employment Equity (Final Report). The Final Report included 187 recommendations on improving the federal Employment Equity Act (Act) and its framework. The Process The Act came into force in…

FTR Now

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).

Human Resources Legislative Update

WSIB Announces Relief Package for Businesses

· 1 min read

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has announced a financial relief package which will allow the deferral of premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. Businesses which report and pay monthly, quarterly or annual premiums are eligible for the deferral. Specifically, the deferral applies to payments due on the following dates: Monthly: March…

FTR Now

As we learn more about the Novel Coronavirus (2019-vCoV or Coronavirus), employers will no doubt be contemplating the potential implications of this virus on their workplaces. We have set out below some of the emerging questions that employers may have right now and our answers and guidelines for how to address these issues.

FTR Now

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) has held that a civil action for constructive dismissal based on alleged workplace harassment and bullying was statute-barred under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) and could not proceed.

FTR Now

In an important decision for federally regulated employers, Wilson v. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, a majority of the Supreme Court of Canada has found the “unjust dismissal” provisions of Part III of the Canada Labour Code (Code) prohibit “without cause” dismissal of non-managerial, non-unionized employees with at least 12 months consecutive service, thereby allowing those employees to access the remedial relief (reasons, reinstatement, equitable relief) available under the Code.

FTR Now

PTSD Strategy Announced by Ontario

· 4 min read

On February 1, 2016, the Ontario government announced new initiatives designed to address post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”) suffered by first responders. The initiatives build on the feedback received by the government at its Summit on Work-Related Traumatic Mental Stress, hosted by the Minister of Labour in March 2015. In this FTR Now, we review these…

FTR Now

An Update on WSIB Rate Framework Reform

· 4 min read

In March, 2015, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) proposed a new Rate Framework (“Proposed Framework”) which, if adopted, would fundamentally change the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets their premium rates (see our FTR Nows of April 17, 2015 “WSIB Rate Framework Reform: Stakeholder Input Invited” and August 21, 2015 “An…

FTR Now

An Update on WSIB Rate Framework Reform

· 5 min read

In March 2015, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) released a preliminary Rate Framework (“Proposed Framework”) which, if adopted, would fundamentally change the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets their premium rates (see our FTR Now of April 17, 2015 “WSIB Rate Framework Reform: Stakeholder Input Invited”). At the same time,…

FTR Now

On March 31, 2015, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) released a number of discussion papers which propose a preliminary Rate Framework which, if adopted, would fundamentally change the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets its premium rates. Under the proposal, the Secondary Injury and Enhancement Fund (“SIEF”) and existing experience…

FTR Now

Maintaining a Workplace Free of Sexual Harassment

· 6 min read

Over the past several months, the issue of workplace sexual harassment has been in the spotlight and the subject of considerable discussion. In response to recent media attention, the Ontario Human Rights Commission recently issued a statement reiterating the legal duty of employers to prevent sexual harassment and to respond to any complaints in the…

FTR Now

Effective October 29, 2014, three new job-protected leaves of absence will be added to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 – family caregiver leave, critically ill child care leave and crime-related child death or disappearance leave. The new leaves are in addition to existing leaves of absence available to employees under the Act, and can be…

FTR Now

On April 29, 2014, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 21, the Employment Standards Amendment Act (Leaves to Help Families), 2014. Royal Assent was given on the same day. Bill 21 will amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “Act“) to add three new job-protected leaves of absence effective October 29, 2014 – family caregiver leave,…

FTR Now

Effective April 1, 2014, much-anticipated amendments to the Canada Labour Code (“Code“) first outlined in Bill C-45, the Jobs and Growth Act, 2012, will come into force. The amendments will implement a statutory framework for complaints relating to unpaid wages and other alleged violations of the Code, its regulations or orders made under Part III….