In its recent decision Ontario v Association of Ontario Midwives, the Ontario Divisional Court upheld two decisions of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario pertaining to sex discrimination and pay equity, reaffirming that employers have an obligation to take proactive steps to ensure that sex-segregated workers are compensated free from sex discrimination and that a…
Industry: Healthcare
Ontario Issues Orders Relating to Stage 3 Reopening: What You Need to Know
On July 13, 2020, the Ontario government filed two Orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act regarding Stage 3 of the reopening of the province. The first Order, Stages of Reopening, is a new regulation that identifies which regions of the province are at Stage 1, 2 or 3 of the reopening plan.
Ontario Announces Stage 3 Reopening for Certain Regions
On Monday, July 13, the Ontario government announced that 24 regions in Ontario are moving to the Stage 3 of the provincial re-opening plans effective Friday, July 17, 2020. The Orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act giving effect to this announcement have not yet been published and we will provide further updates on the Stage 3 reopening as may be necessary. In order that you may continue your Return to Work planning, however, here is what we know as of today.
Federal Government Introduces Changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
On June 10, 2020, the federal government introduced Bill C-17, An Act respecting additional COVID-19 measures (Bill C-17). Among other changes, if passed in its current form, Bill C-17 would amend the Income Tax Act to revise the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).
2020 Agreement Respecting Multi-Jurisdictional Pension Plans To Become Effective On July 1, 2020
The Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) has announced the adoption of the 2020 Agreement Respecting Multi-Jurisdictional Pension Plans (2020 Agreement), which will become effective on July 1, 2020.
COVID-19 Update: More Businesses Permitted to Reopen
The last week has seen numerous announcements and regulatory changes as the Ontario government continues to ease restrictions and permit more businesses to resume their operations. Effective June 19, 2020, Durham, Haldimand-Norfolk, Halton, Hamilton, Lambton, Niagara and York have been moved to Stage 2.
Ontario Issues Order Relating to Management of Retirement Homes Where Residents at Risk Due to COVID-19
On May 29, 2020, the Ontario government filed an Order made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act entitled the Management of Retirement Homes in Outbreak (Order). The Order authorizes the Registrar under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 (Act) to issue a management order under section 91(1) of that Act (Registrar’s Order) where there…
New Order Clarifies Scope of Pandemic Pay
On April 25, 2019, the Ontario government announced that it would be providing temporary pandemic pay to frontline workers fighting COVID-19. At the time, we observed that there were some key unknown elements about pandemic pay that required further direction from the government.
Ontario Government Provides Temporary Relief from ESA Termination and Severance Provisions in Response to COVID-19
On Friday, May 29, 2020, the Ontario government published a new regulation under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) that is intended to provide temporary relief from the ESA’s termination and severance provisions for employers whose operations have been shut down or otherwise curtailed by COVID-19 – O. Reg. 228/20, Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL Regulation).
New Regulation to Provide Temporary Relief from ESA Termination Provisions
Earlier today, the Ontario government published a new regulation under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) that is intended to provide temporary relief from the ESA’s termination provisions for employers whose operations have been shut down or otherwise curtailed by COVID-19.