With the holiday season just around the corner, many of us are preparing for the seasonal festivities, which may include workplace celebrations. It is important that employers, whether large or small, take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees who attend office parties or other workplace celebrations.
Industry: Transportation & Warehousing
Bill 47 Referred to Committee with Public Hearings to be Held on November 15: Note Quick Deadline for Request to Make Submissions
On November 12, 2018, Bill 47, the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018, was carried on division at Second Reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. The Committee will be holding public hearings on the Bill in Toronto on Thursday, November 15, 2018. For those parties who wish…
Government Proposes Changes to ESA Regulations in Support of Bill 47
On November 7, 2018, the government of Ontario posted proposed changes to regulations made under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) in support of the ESA amendments introduced by Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018. Proposed Changes to O. Reg. 502/06 (Terms and Conditions of Employment in Defined Industries – Automobile Manufacturing,…
Federal Government Proposes Significant Workplace Law Reforms
On October 29, 2018, the federal government tabled Bill C-86, the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2, omnibus legislation giving effect to certain initiatives in its 2018 Federal Budget. If passed, the Bill will make substantial changes to the Canada Labour Code and enact a federal Pay Equity Act, among other things. For federally regulated…
Federal Government Passes Legislation Aimed at Preventing Harassment and Violence in the Workplace
On October 25, 2018, Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1 (Act) received Royal Assent. As previously reported on November 9, 2017, November 27, 2017, and June 28, 2018, this Act amends the Canada Labour…
Increased Penalties for Cell Phone Use While Driving In Force January 1, 2019
Changes to the Highway Traffic Act enacted by Bill 174, the Cannabis, Smoke Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017 which relate to cell phone use while driving are coming into force on January 1, 2019. Beginning on January 1, 2019, penalties will increase as set out below for conviction of the…
Regulatory Exemption for Record Check Process under Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 Filed
As discussed in our previous post, the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 (Act) creates new procedural requirements for requesting and obtaining criminal record, judicial matters and vulnerable sector backgrounds checks. The Act creates a requirement for a two-stage consent process where: (1) the individual must consent to the type of check being conducted; and…
New ESA Regulations Exempt Crown Employees from Hours of Work/Overtime Provisions of ESA; Reduce Penalties for Notices of Contravention
On October 24, 2018, the Ontario government filed two regulations made under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). O. Reg. 448/18 amends O. Reg. 285/01 (When Work Deemed to be Performed, Exemptions and Special Rules) to exempt Crown employees from the hours of work/eating periods and overtime provisions of the ESA. Specifically, the exemption applies…
Ontario Posts New Sign Requirements under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017
The prescribed signs that employers, proprietors and others will be required to post under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 are now available on an Ontario government website.
Signs Required to be Posted under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 Now Available on Government Website
Further to our FTR Now of October 18, 2018, Employers Take Note: Provincial Cannabis Legislation and Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (Including New Poster Requirements) Now in Force, the government of Ontario has now posted information regarding the new rules under the Act as well as the signs required to be posted by employers and others…