We are back with our annual review of the prior year’s notable cases that we believe will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals. We also identify some cases to watch for in 2024. Next week, we will bring you our review of notable 2023 legislative updates. Cases of Note Employment Termination of…
Industry: Arts, Entertainment & Sports
Final Phase of 2016 CPP Enhancements Takes Effect January 1, 2024
Starting in 2024, mandatory contributions to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) will increase with the introduction of additional CPP contributions up to a second earnings ceiling. The increase comes as part of the final phase of enhancements to the CPP that was introduced in 2016 through the federal Bill C-26, An Act to amend the…
Raising the Bar – Year-End Edition
As we welcome the holidays, we thought it would be a perfect time to share our latest edition of Raising the Bar. We hope you enjoy it and have some well-deserved time off over the holiday break. In this issue, we review i) the threshold Ontario courts expect employers to meet in justifying terminations for…
Reminder of Upcoming Accessibility Compliance Report Deadline
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) sets out the process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards in Ontario. Its purpose is to achieve accessibility standards for Ontarians with physical and mental disabilities by 2025. All levels of government, private sector organizations and non-profit organizations must comply with this legislation. The Accessibility Compliance Report is a…
Highlights From the Federal Government’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement and Corresponding Bill
On November 30, 2023, the federal government introduced Bill C-59, Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023 (Bill C-59). Bill C-59 follows the tabling of a Notice of Ways and Means Motion, and would give effect to various initiatives set out in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement (Statement). In this FTR Now, we highlight proposals contained…
Ensuring a Safe Holiday Party
The holiday season is a time for people to come together and celebrate. For many of us, this may include workplace parties. While the past few years have looked quite different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are back to embracing in-person workplace celebrations. No matter the size or type of workplace, all employers…
WSIB Publishes New Communicable Illnesses Policy
Following public consultations, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has published a new operational policy on communicable illnesses (Policy), which will become effective December 1, 2023. The Policy defines a communicable illness as “an illness resulting from infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.” In order to be entitled to benefits for…
Ontario Introduces Working for Workers Four Act, 2023
On November 14, 2023, the Ontario government introduced Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act, 2023. Bill 149, if passed, would amend several statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA). This FTR Now reviews some of Bill 149’s key features of particular interest to employers….
Ontario Updates Regulation Governing Group Terminations
On November 10, 2023, the government of Ontario filed Ontario Regulation 340/23 (Amending Regulation) which amends the Termination and Severance of Employment Regulation (Regulation) made under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). The Amending Regulation provides regulatory support for changes to the ESA’s group termination provisions made by Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 (Bill 79). Under the ESA, employers have an obligation…
Appellate Court Finds National Day of Mourning Not a Paid Holiday Under Collective Agreements
The issue of whether the National Day of Mourning is considered a “holiday” under a particular collective agreement has been the topic of recent arbitral decisions. On November 7, 2023, the Divisional Court weighed in on the issue and found that the National Day of Mourning is not a paid holiday under the applicable collective…