On December 9, 2019, the Ontario government tabled Bill 161, Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, 2019, omnibus legislation that, if passed, would enact significant changes to the justice system through amendments to numerous statutes. Set out below is a brief summary of the notable changes to the Class Proceedings Act, 1992, the Courts of Justice…
Industry: Long-Term Care and Home Care
WSIB Schedule 1 Regulation Filed Further to New Rate Framework
In anticipation of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s new Rate Framework implementation date of January 1, 2020, the Ontario government filed Ontario Regulation 417/19 which amends O. Reg. 175/98 (General Regulation) made under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. O. Reg. 417/19 revokes and replaces Schedule 1 of the General Regulation, to reflect…
Ontario Amends Sign Requirements under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017
On December 13, 2019, the Ontario government filed Ontario Regulation 430/19 (Regulation) which amends Ontario Regulation 268/18 (General) made under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 with respect to the sign requirements for employers and proprietors. The Regulation comes into force on January 1, 2020. As we previously reported, pursuant to Ontario Regulation 268/18, employers and…
FTR Quarterly – Issue 15
In This Issue: Protection in the Face of Employee Fraud, Key Human Resources Decisions in in 2019 and Cases to Monitor in 2020 and more!
Action for Constructive Dismissal as a Result of Workplace Harassment Statute-Barred by WSIA
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) has held that a civil action for constructive dismissal based on alleged workplace harassment and bullying was statute-barred under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) and could not proceed.
Assurer une célébration du temps des fêtes en toute sécurité
La saison des fêtes est un temps de célébration. Pour plusieurs d’entre nous, cela peut comprendre des célébrations du temps des fêtes dans le milieu du travail. Tous les employeurs, grands ou petits, devraient s’assurer de prendre le temps de créer un plan visant à créer un environnement sain et sécuritaire pour les employés et les invités qui participeront à ces célébrations.
Ontario Announces Financial Incentives For “Safe Employers”
On November 22, 2019, the government of Ontario unveiled Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers. This is an initiative which will formally recognize and provide financial incentives to employers who have successfully implemented an occupational health and safety management system in their workplace. Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer will accredit successful employers. The government states that this program…
Ensuring a Safe Holiday Party
The holiday season is a time for celebration. For many of us, this may include workplace celebrations. All employers, big or small, should ensure that in addition to traditional party logistics, they take the time to develop a plan for providing a healthy and safe environment for employees and guests at any workplace celebrations.
Ontario’s Bill 132 Referred to Committee, Includes Proposed Amendments to PBA
On November 7, 2019, Bill 132, Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2019 (Bill 132), passed Second Reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. Bill 132 is omnibus legislation which, if passed, will amend a number of statutes, including the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (PBA). Proposed amendments to the PBA…
Update on Ontario Government Wage Restraint Initiatives
In this FTR Now, we look at the amendments made to the Bill and their impact on collective bargaining and non-union wage review activities that may have occurred since the Bill was first tabled. We also discuss the government’s recently announced plan regarding “designated executives” under the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act, 2014 (BPSECA).