As previously reported, on April 11, 2019, the Ontario government released its 2019 Budget and introduced Bill 100, Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019. Bill 100 received Royal Assent on May 29, 2019. Of particular interest to employers and human resource professionals are the amendments made to the following statutes: Public Sector Labour…
Industry: Education
Ontario Proposes Significant Changes to Wage Restraint and Collective Bargaining in the Public Sector
Following through on a consultation process that was kicked off on April 4, 2019, the Ontario government has introduced legislation that, if passed, would significantly impact most broader public sector employers.
The End of Health and Welfare Trusts: Proposed Amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada)
On May 27, 2019, the federal Department of Finance announced proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) (ITA), to facilitate the conversion of existing Health and Welfare Trusts (HWTs) into Employee Life and Health Trusts (ELHTs), and to improve the existing ELHT rules. Comments on the proposed ITA amendments are invited by July 31, 2019…
School’s (Almost) Out! Our Final School Board Update for the 2018-2019 School Year
As another academic year draws to a close and we are finally getting a glimpse of summer, we bring you our last School Board Update of the Spring term. In it, we discuss two arbitration awards
Yours to Discover: 10 Tips for Navigating the Documentary Discovery Process
In this issue of Raising the Bar, we share 10 tips and best practices to guide employers embarking upon their next trip through the document discovery process in a manner that is not only compliant with their legal obligations, but also controlled, strategic and cost-effective.
Accommodating Medical Marijuana
Accommodating medicinal cannabis requires balancing an employee’s rights under the Human Rights Code with an employer’s obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers. These obligations are especially pronounced in workplaces that include safety-sensitive positions.
Changes to Ontario’s Annuity Purchase and Discharge Rules – Bill 57 Amendments and Draft Supporting Regulations
New draft regulations support and provide additional details respecting the rules governing annuity purchases and related statutory discharges under the Pension Benefits Act. Learn more in this FTR Now.
Arbitrator Orders Production of Sensitive Medical Documentation Further to Accommodation Request
In Carleton University and Carleton University Academic Staff Association (March 29, 2019), Arbitrator Picher issued an interim award regarding the production of sensitive medical documents which were needed by the University employer to assess an accommodation request made by a faculty member (grievor). The request was to receive full pay with reduced teaching hours. The…
Ontario’s New Variable Benefits Regime for Defined Contribution Plans – Draft Regulations
With the release of draft regulations, Ontario moves a step closer to allowing variable benefits to be paid directly from defined contribution pension plans.
Federal Government Tables 2019 Budget Bill
On April 8, 2019, the federal government introduced Bill C-97, Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1, for first reading. Bill C-97 is omnibus legislation enacting certain measures outlined in the 2019 Federal Budget. Below are some of the key amendments of interest to employers, pension plan administrators and human resources professionals.