Human Resources Legislative Update

Putting Students First Act, 2012 Repealed

On January 23, 2013, section 20 of the Putting Students First Act, 2012 (“Act”) was proclaimed into force. The effect of proclaiming section 20 into force is that the Act (formerly known as Bill 115) has been repealed.

Human Resources Legislative Update

Education Act Regulation “Sick Leave Credits and Sick Leave Credit Gratuities” Amended

On January 21, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 11/13, amending O. Reg. 1/13 (Sick Leave Credits and Sick Leave Credit Gratuities) made under the Education Act. Among other things, O. Reg. 11/13: increases to 11 (from 10) the number of sick leave days per year for which an applicable permanent employee is eligible;…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Regulatory Amendment Filed under Putting Students First Act

On January 21, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 12/13, amending O. Reg. 2/13, General, made under the Putting Students First Act, 2012 (“Act”). Among other things, O. Reg. 12/13: revokes paragraph 6 of subsection 2(2) of O. Reg. 2/13 (gratuity wind-up for sick leave credit gratuity in certain circumstances) and provides for determining…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Regulatory Changes to 2013-2014 Professional Activity Days Filed under Education Act

On January 21, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 13/13, amending Regulation 304, School Year Calendar, Professional Activity Days, made under the Education Act. Among other things, O. Reg. 13/13 amends subsection 2(3.1) (requirement that every school year shall include a minimum of 194 school days as designated) to add that for the school…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Nortel Pension Plans Regulation Filed

On January 15, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 10/13, Nortel Pension Plans, made under the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”) In May 2011, the Act was amended to allow all pensioners of two specified Nortel Networks pension plans to transfer the commuted value of their benefits out of the plans. O. Reg. 10/13 prescribes…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Algoma Steel Pension Plan Regulation Amended

On January 11, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 7/13, amending O. Reg. 202/02 “Algoma Steel Inc. Pension Plans” made under the Pension Benefits Act. The regulation is effective as of the date of filing. It makes a number of housekeeping amendments to O. Reg. 202/02 by changing the name “Algoma Steel Inc.” to…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Safety Blitzes Announced for Ontario Workplaces

The Ontario Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) has announced that three workplace enforcement blitzes targeting workplace hazards will be conducted by MOL Inspectors this winter: January/February: underground mines will be inspected to check hazards that may affect air quality; February/March: industrial and construction workplaces will be checked for slips, trips and fall hazards; and February/March: health…

FTR Now

Preparing for Canada’s New Anti-Spam Legislation

Canada’s new anti-spam legislation is coming soon. Commonly referred to as “CASL”, the new legislation will impose strict obligations that apply to a range of business emails and other electronic communications that you might not consider to be “spam”. All businesses, even those without formal email marketing programs, should assess their potential exposure to CASL…

Human Resources Legislative Update

AODA Accessible Built Environment: Consultation Paper on Proposed Changes to Building Code Released

The Ontario government has released a consultation paper on proposed changes to the barrier-free design requirements of Ontario’s Building Code. The proposed Building Code changes arise from the development of built environment accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”). The consultation process focuses on certain key accessibility requirements, including: Renovations…

Human Resources Legislative Update

Proposed Anti-spam Regulations Published

On January 5, 2013, Electronic Commerce Protection Regulations (“ECP Regulations”), proposed under Canada’s Anti-spam Legislation (“CASL”*), were published. As previously reported, the CASL enacts comprehensive anti-spam legislation relating to the sending of commercial electronic messages (“CEMs”). The CASL has not yet been proclaimed into force, with the exception of certain Personal Information Protection and Electronic…