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…
Industry: Financial Services
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…
Ontario to Introduce Legislation Banning Requirements for Canadian Work Experience in Job Postings
On November 9, 2023, the Ontario government announced its intention to introduce legislation which it states would be aimed at protecting internationally trained workers. If passed, the legislation would ban employers from requiring Canadian work experience as a requirement in job postings and application forms. The government also announced that it will be “proposing changes…
Ontario’s Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 Receives Royal Assent
On October 26, 2023, Ontario’s Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023 (Bill 79) received Royal Assent. Bill 79 amends several statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act, 2009 (EPFNA). Changes introduced by Bill 79 include: These measures came…
New CRA Administrative Policy Will Affect Payroll Administration for Fully Remote Work Arrangements
In September 2023, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) published a new administrative policy that could impact the payroll deductions an employer must make in respect of employees who work fully remotely. The new policy will be effective January 1, 2024 and may require changes to the payroll tables applied to fully remote workers in 2024…
Federal Government Extends Consultation on Accessibility Standard on Employment
Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) has extended the period for interested stakeholders to provide comments on its draft Accessibility Standard on Employment (Standard). Interested stakeholders now have until October 31, 2023 to provide comments. The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) came into force on July 11, 2019, and the Accessible Canada Regulations (Regulations) made under the ACA…
Reminder to Employers: Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2023
A reminder to employers that on October 1, 2023, the Ontario government will increase the general provincial minimum wage from $15.50 to $16.55 per hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates will also increase on the same date for the following groups of employees: If you have any questions about your…