WSIB to Enforce Mandatory Construction Coverage Starting January 1, 2014

Effective January 1, 2014, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) will begin enforcing mandatory coverage for certain categories of persons operating in the construction industry and prosecuting those persons who are not in compliance. This FTR Now provides the background to the recent amendments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (“Act”) relating to…

Important Changes to the WSIB’s Appeals Program – What You Need to Know and Do

In February 2013, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) implemented its Modernized Appeals Program. The WSIB plans to reduce its backlog of cases through significant changes to the appeal process. This new program only applies to claims and does not apply to financial or revenue issues. Some of the key changes under the Modernized…

Ministry of Labour to Target Health Care Workplaces for Safety Inspections

The Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) has announced a safety blitz targeting health care workplaces in the months of February and March. MOL inspectors will conduct inspections to check on issues related to workplace violence and harassment. In this FTR Now, we review some steps you can take to ensure your workplace is compliant with its…

Receipt of WSIB Benefits Bars Claim for Additional Monetary Damages at Arbitration

An arbitrator recently affirmed that a grievor is not entitled to monetary damages under a collective agreement where that grievor has received benefits from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) in respect of the accident for which damages are claimed. Arbitrator Howe considered section 26(2) of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (“WSIA”) and…

Hicks Morley Introduces Case Law Blog

Hicks Morley is pleased to announce the launch of Case In Point, a blog designed to provide human resources professionals with timely information about interesting case law developments in a range of employment-related areas. In this FTR Now, we highlight the features of this new service. BACKGROUND In 2010, Hicks Morley launched Human Resources Legislative…

Anti-Bullying Bill Receives Royal Assent

On June 19, 2012, Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, 2012, received Royal Assent. Section 7 (Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week) came into force upon Royal Assent. As previously reported, the remaining sections of the Bill will come into force on September 1, 2012.

Amended Ontario Anti-Bullying Bill Passes Third Reading

On June 5, 2012, Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, 2012, passed at Third Reading. As previously reported, Bill 13 was extensively amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. With the exception of the amendments outlined in section 7 (Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week), Bill 13 will come into force on September 1, 2012….

Amended Ontario Anti-Bullying Bill Ordered for Third Reading

On May 30, 2012, Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, 2012, was reported back to the House as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. The proposed Committee amendments are extensive. Of particular note, Bill 13 now: contains a revised definition of “bullying”; adopts a definition of “cyber-bullying” that essentially tracks the definition proposed…