306 Results

New Cannabis Legislation Tabled by Ontario Government

On September 27, 2018, the Ontario government tabled Bill 36, the Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018. If passed, Bill 36 will enact the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and will make amendments to the Cannabis Act, 2017, the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation Act, 2017 and the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, as well as consequential amendments…

Lauri Reesor Quoted in Canadian Lawyer InHouse on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Hicks Morley’s Lauri Reesor was quoted in the September 2018 edition of Canadian Lawyer InHouse in an article titled, “Navigating Sexual Harassment in a #MeToo World.” With the initiation of the #MeToo movement, allegations of sexual harassment are being brought forth exposing high-profile individuals at an unprecedented rate. Lauri notes that she is “seeing an increase in the number of internal complaints that are being made” involving corporations. “People are feeling empowered to come forward.” This opens an organization’s policies, procedures and investigative techniques to scrutiny.

Cannabis in the Workplace: Workplace Policy [Video]

In light of the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis, it is critical that employers review all current policies to determine whether revisions are required. In this video, Jacqueline Luksha reviews key features of a Drug and Alcohol policy related to cannabis in the workplace. She also discusses the importance of training regarding cannabis use, and touches on policies dealing with accommodation requests.

The First Bill 148 Cases: Overview of Key New ESA Decisions

It has now been 7 months since Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, was enacted and cases are beginning to emerge which interpret the new provisions of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). In this Minimum Standards Monitor, we review some decisions of particular interest to employers which involve the new personal emergency leave (PEL) requirements, the equal pay for equal work provisions and the new minimum wage entitlements.

Update on Personal Emergency Leave in the Municipal Sector

The introduction of two paid personal emergency leave (PEL) days to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) has revived the debate about whether collective agreements or policies provide a Greater Right or Benefit (GROB), or alternatively, whether entitlements under the collective agreement or policies can be offset against the PEL entitlement. The first arbitration case since the paid entitlements were introduced (from Arbitrator Mitchnick) has brought an interesting twist to the debate.

Northwestern Ontario Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) HR Employment and Labour Law Conference

Overview The 2018 HR Employment and Labour Law Conference will challenge the way employers think about human resources. Subjects include Human Rights and Health and Safety Case Law, Social Media use, Employer Obligations for creating a Psychologically Safe Workspace, Attendance Support Programs, Obligations to support Transgender/Transitioning Employees, Bill 148, Investigations and Terminations – Best Practices,…

Ontario Implements Anti-Racism Act Regulations

On April 20, 2018, the Ontario government filed regulations under the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 (ARA) setting out personal information that certain public sector organizations (PSOs) will be authorized or required to collect under the ARA for the purpose of eliminating systematic racism.

Ontario Budget Bill Passes

On May 8, 2018, Bill 31, the Plan for Care and Opportunity Act (Budget Measures), 2018, passed Third Reading and received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill 31 is omnibus legislation implementing some of the key initiatives outlined in the government’s 2018 Budget. Bill 31 makes the following pension-related changes: Increases Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund…