FTR Now

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.

FTR Now

Ontario Moves to Step 2 of Reopening Plan

· 6 min read

Effective June 30, 2021, all public health units in Ontario will be permitted to move to Step 2 of the province’s Roadmap to Reopen. Once this occurs, all public health units in the province will be subject to the conditions established by O. Reg. 263/20, Rules for Areas in Step 2, as amended by O….

Human Resources Legislative Update

On March 17, 2021, the Ontario government announced that: it has removed certain regulatory restrictions to make it easier to administer private, on-site testing for asymptomatic employees who wish to self-swab for a rapid antigen test on a voluntary basis (and under the supervision of a trained individual) a guide for organizations and individuals who…

Human Resources Legislative Update

On March 9, 2020, the Ontario government again updated its “COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Workers)” (Tool). Among other things, the Tool has been clarified to state that workers must be “actively screened” (as opposed to “screened”). In addition, if the worker answers “yes” to the question “Is anyone you live with…

Human Resources Legislative Update

On February 26, 2021, the Ontario government made minor revisions to its “COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Workers).” The screening questions now ask if the person using the tool is experiencing “one or more” of the listed symptoms (previously, it was “any one” of the listed symptoms). More significantly, the screening questions…

Human Resources Legislative Update

On February 10, 2021, the Ontario government updated its “COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Workers)” (Tool). The update clarifies that the Tool applies to all regions in Ontario (Rules for Areas in Stages 1, 2 and 3) and that employers must ensure that workers are screened before they go to work or…

Human Resources Legislative Update

The Ontario government has updated its COVID-19 tool for screening workers before they go to work each day. The “COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Workers),” issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, contains several changes of note to employers. These include: a reference to the regulatory screening requirement under O. Reg….

FTR Now

As provinces begin to roll out reopening plans for non-essential businesses, the logistical challenges of implementing social distancing in some workplaces mean that many employees will continue to work from home for the foreseeable future. As companies consider which employees will be asked to return to the workplace, and when, the legal considerations and risks associated with work from home arrangements should be taken into account.

School Board Update

On May 8, 2020, the Ontario government filed Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 205/20 – Education Sector (Order) made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act which applies to all school boards within the meaning of the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014 in Ontario.

HR HealthCheck

In an award dated May 4, 2020, Arbitrator Stout addressed, among other things, critical aspects of the CMOH’s Directives respecting access to and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). In this HR HealthCheck, we provide an overview of this significant award (Award), a decision of notable impact to health care providers and health care workers alike, in both the Hospital and Long-Term Care sectors.

FTR Now

On March 23, 2020 Premier Doug Ford announced that effective 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, all non-essential businesses will be ordered to close for 14 days, and possibly longer. This order is made further to the emergency declared on March 17, 2020 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Here is what employers need to consider now.

FTR Now

On March 19, 2020, the Ontario Legislature met in an emergency session to pass legislation to extend protections for employees in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill 186, the Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020 amends the leaves of absence provisions of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) to provide more leave entitlements to employees impacted by the pandemic and to prohibit employers from requesting medical notes in relation to the new leave.

FTR Now

Today, the Ontario government announced that it will be introducing legislation to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) in light of COVID-19. In addition, the federal government announced, among other things, that the Canadian border will be closed to foreign nationals, with some exceptions.

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

COVID-19 and Workplace Preparedness

· 5 min read

Health officials in Canada have stated that the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains very low. That said, in recent weeks the virus has been top of mind for many, including employers. In this FTR Now, we discuss workplace pandemic planning and operational issues employers should be anticipating in the unlikely event of an outbreak.

FTR Now

The Supreme Court of Canada has held that an employer’s work place inspection obligations under the Canada Labour Code (Code) only extend to that part of the work place over which it has physical control, and not to locations beyond its control where its employees may be engaged in work. This decision is welcome news for employers that may require employees to work outside of the employer’s physical location.

Human Resources Legislative Update

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced a consultation entitled “Safe at Work Ontario 2020-21.” The Ministry is seeking information and input from stakeholders in response to specific questions related to the following issues: Hazards The Ministry has identified the top 10 occupational health and safety issues and violations in the workplace. It is asking…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Ontario Health and Safety Regulations Amended

· 3 min read

On June 10, 2019, the Ontario government filed a number of amendments to regulations made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. O. Reg. 186/19 replaces the “Equivalency” provision of Regulation 851 (Industrial Establishments) with a new provision entitled “Alternative methods and materials.” It now requires employers to provide written notice to the joint health…

Human Resources Legislative Update

On November 16, 2016, the Ontario government introduced Bill 70, Building Ontario Up for Everyone Act (Budget Measures), 2016, omnibus legislation that would, among other things, amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to provide for the establishment of employer “health and safety management systems.” Specifically, the amendments would: define “health and safety management…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Effective today, significant reforms to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) are coming into force which place additional duties on employers with respect to the prevention of workplace harassment. As previously reported, these changes were outlined in Bill 132, Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2016

FTR Now

The Ontario government has filed two regulations mandating the content of sexual violence policies which colleges and universities must develop and implement pursuant to the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015 (“Act”).

Human Resources Legislative Update

On July 1, 2016, noise protection requirements will be extended to all Ontario workplaces pursuant to O. Reg. 381/15 made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The noise protection requirements currently found in the following regulations will be revoked effective July 1, 2016: Regulation 851 – Industrial Establishments (s. 139) (O. Reg. 382/15) Regulation 854…

FTR Now

On March 8, 2016, legislation addressing sexual violence and harassment was passed and received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015 (“Act”) requires publicly assisted colleges and universities and private career colleges to develop a sexual violence policy and creates…

FTR Now

On March 8, 2016, legislation addressing sexual violence and harassment was passed and received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015 (“Act”) creates specific duties for all employers to develop policies and procedures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace,…

Human Resources Legislative Update

On March 8, 2016, the Ontario government passed Bill 132, Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015, as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. Bill 132 amends various statutes with respect to sexual violence and harassment, domestic violence and other matters. In addition to…

FTR Now

The Metron Construction Corporation (“Metron”) project manager who oversaw the construction project on which a swing stage collapsed, resulting in the deaths of four workers and injury to a fifth, has been sentenced to 3.5 years in jail. In this FTR Now, we discuss the background to this important decision and its significance. On Christmas…

FTR Now

On October 27, 2015, the Ontario government tabled new legislation to address sexual violence and harassment. If passed, the proposed measures in Bill 132, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015 (“Act”), would, among other things, require publicly assisted colleges and universities and private career…

FTR Now

In a recent decision (R. v. Metron Construction Corporation, 2013 ONCA 541), the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned the fine imposed by the Ontario Court of Justice in respect of four fatalities, and imposed a fine almost four times greater. As previously reported (August 20, 2012 FTR Now – “Court Imposes Criminal Code Fines For…

FTR Now

A recent decision of the Divisional Court confirms that employers and contractors are required to report a critical injury or fatality suffered by a non-worker in the “workplace” to the Ministry of Labour, regardless of whether workers were present at the time of the occurrence. In this FTR Now we consider this decision and what…

FTR Now

On March 3, 2011, the Ontario government introduced Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 (“Bill 160”). The proposed Bill 160 amendments, which are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety, would significantly amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA“)….