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…
Practice Area: Occupational Health
Sexual Violence and Harassment Legislation Passed
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,…
Ontario Passes Sexual Violence and Harassment Bill
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…
PTSD Bill Passes Second Reading
On March 3, 2016, Bill 163, Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), 2016, passed second reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. As previously reported, if passed, Bill 163 will, among other things, amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 to create a rebuttable statutory presumption in favour of granting workers’ compensation…
Construction Project Manager Sentenced to 3.5 Years for Christmas Eve Fatalities
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…
Workplace Law In Canada: A Primer
This Guide provides non-Canadians with an introduction to employment laws and regulations that affect businesses in Canada. It provides an overview of the main differences between Canadian and U.S. workplace laws. To obtain a copy please contact Knowledge Management.
Ontario Introduces Legislation to Address Sexual Violence and Harassment
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…
Federal Budget 2015
On April 21, 2015, the Minister of Finance tabled the 2015 Federal Budget, “Strong Leadership: A Balanced-Budget, Low-Tax Plan for Jobs, Growth and Security.” This FTR Now focuses on some of the key proposals that are of particular interest to employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators. These include: changes to registered retirement income…
Maintaining a Workplace Free of Sexual Harassment
Over the past several months, the issue of workplace sexual harassment has been in the spotlight and the subject of considerable discussion. In response to recent media attention, the Ontario Human Rights Commission recently issued a statement reiterating the legal duty of employers to prevent sexual harassment and to respond to any complaints in the…
The Ministry of Labour and Ebola Preparedness
In light of recent concerns regarding the outbreak of Ebola abroad, the Ontario Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) has been conducting a series of Ebola preparedness investigations targeting hospitals and paramedic services. In this FTR Now, we outline best practices for handling an investigation by the MOL and consider the right of employees – including health…