2312 Results

School Board Update – Ontario’s 2010 Early Learning Program: Bracing for the Fallout

When was the last time your Board was involved in the legal “ins and outs” of a hotly contested certification drive before the Ontario Labour Relations Board? Ontario’s newly announced Early Learning Program could well provide you with an opportunity in the coming year. In this School Board Update, we discuss the ramifications and new…

Municipalities Exposed To Construction Collective Agreements

In a recent decision, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (“OLRB”) held that key non-construction employer provisions of the Ontario Labour Relations Act, 1995 (the “Act”) were unconstitutional. In this FTR Now, we discuss how the decision could have an impact on the ability of municipalities to tender construction work. BACKGROUND The construction industry labour relations…

Ontario Introduces Draft Pension Reform Legislation

INTRODUCTION Following on the heels of the Report of the Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions (“OECP”), the Ontario Government released draft pension reform legislation on December 9, 2009. Bill 236, Pension Benefits Amendment Act, 2009 (“Bill 236”) marks the beginning of what the Government is calling a multi-stage pension reform process to modernize Ontario’s pension…

School Boards Exposed To Construction Collective Agreements

In a recent decision, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (“OLRB”) held that key non-construction employer provisions of the Ontario Labour Relations Act, 1995 (the “Act”) were unconstitutional.  In this FTR Now, we discuss how the decision could have an impact on school boards’ ability to tender construction work. Background The construction industry labour relations regime…

Natasha Monkman Contribute to Benefits and Pensions Monitor

Hicks Morley’s Natasha Monkman wrote an article entitled “A Uniquely Canadian Approach to Solvency Funding Relief” that appeared in the October issue of Benefits and Pensions Monitor and is also included on the magazine’s website. The article discusses in detail the different approaches to solvency funding relief undertaken by the federal and provincial governments in…

Effective Pandemic Planning

Employers have a general obligation under health and safety law to take all reasonable precautions in the circumstances to protect their workers. What does this entail, however, in a pandemic situation, such as the one currently facing employers? In our May 1, 2009 FTR Now – “Employer Bulletin: Influenza A(H1N1)” – we discussed some of…

Federal Government to Overhaul Federal Pension Laws

On October 27, 2009, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, announced proposed changes to the federal Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (“PBSA”) and the associated Regulations. The PBSA and Regulations apply to pensions provided to employees employed in shipping, railway, air transportation, radio broadcasting, banks and other businesses within the legislative authority of the…