1146 Results

Ontario Announces Safety Blitz Focusing On Young Workers

On April 27, 2011, the Ontario government announced that it will launch a safety blitz on May 1 intended to protect young workers by ensuring that employers are complying with regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In part, the initiative will focus on whether young workers are: being instructed, trained and supervised on…

There is Nothing Common About a Constructive Dismissal

In the first case of its kind, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has denied a motion for certification of a class action for constructive dismissal on the basis that it lacked the essential element of commonality. The decision has very significant implications for employers, particularly in the context of employers’ approaches to managing and…

Affordable Housing Legislation (Bill 140) Passes Third Reading

On April 19, 2011, Bill 140, the Strong Communities Through Affordable Housing Act, carried at Third Reading after being reported with amendments by the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. When proclaimed in force, Bill 140 will repeal the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 and enact the Housing Services Act, 2010. As previously reported, the legislation…

PSLRTA Consultations Relating to Proposed Amalgamation of CASs Initiated by Ontario

On April 14, 2011, the Ontario Ministry of Labour announced public consultations relating to the proposed amalgamation of 13 Childrens’ Aid Societies (“CASs”). The initiative was proposed by the Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare (the “Commission”), which the Ontario government established in 2009. In part, the Commission is tasked with supporting the financial sustainability…

Ontario Court of Appeal Revisits Pension and Insolvency Principles: Indalex

INTRODUCTION On April 7, 2011, the Ontario Court of Appeal (the “Court”) released its decision in Re Indalex Limited. In this decision, the Court considers and revisits fundamental and established Canadian pension and insolvency law principles, making this decision required reading for members of pension committees, human resources professionals involved in pension plan administration, and…

Damages at Arbitration – the Divisional Court Comments on an Arbitrator’s Jurisdiction

Last year, Arbitrator Owen Shime issued his now well known decision against the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (“GTAA”) for the wrongful termination of an employee who had been on sick leave. The decision was judicially reviewed and the outcome highly anticipated given the significant principles at stake. This FTR Now reviews the recent decision of…

A Roadmap to Federal Pension Reform

On April 1, 2011, amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations (“PBSR“) came into effect that alter the rules regarding the funding and operation of pension plans governed by the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (“PBSA“). Since 2009, the Federal Government has taken a number of steps to reform the PBSA and the PBSR. This…

Ontario Budget 2011 – Highlights for Employers

INTRODUCTION On March 29, 2011, the Honourable Dwight Duncan, Ontario’s Minister of Finance, tabled the government’s 2011 Budget, “Turning the Corner to a Better Tomorrow”, before the Legislature and simultaneously introduced omnibus legislation amending a variety of statutes to implement some of these initiatives through Bill 173, the Better Tomorrow for Ontario Act (Budget Measures),…

Submissions to the New Brunswick Pension Task Force

The Pension Task Force, established to examine the long-term stability and security of pensions in New Brunswick, is seeking submissions from the public regarding the pension plan issues under review including: the rules protecting employees and pensioners; ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pension promise made to workers; and the effectiveness of structures meant to…

Ontario 2011 Budget Introduced

On March 29, 2011, the Ontario government introduced its 2011 Budget, “Turning the Corner to a Better Tomorrow” (PDF). Highlights in the Budget of interest to employers include: a general consolidation effort in respect of the broader public sector, including moving to “more coordinated bargaining in sectors where it is appropriate” and pursuing options for…