The Ontario government is inviting comments on a proposed regulatory framework to be made under the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority Act, 2021 (HSCPOA Act) and proposed amendments to a regulation made under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 (FLTC Act). Comments on these proposals are due by January 15, 2024. Proposed Regulatory…
Practice Area: Human Rights
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…
Federal Government Issues 2023 Fall Economic Statement
On November 21, 2023, the federal government issued its 2023 Fall Economic Statement. The Statement covers a wide array of initiatives including several proposals that will be of interest to employers, human resource professionals and pension plan administrators. Of particular interest are the following proposals: We are awaiting the release of the legislation giving effect…
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…
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 Bill 135, Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023 Consultation Released
The Ontario government has released a proposal for commentary on Bill 135, Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023 (Bill 135). Bill 135 would amend the Connecting Care Act, 2019 to establish Ontario Health atHome, an amalgamation of Ontario’s 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) into a single organization. Proposed Changes Based on the proposed changes…
Federal Government Adds Exemptions and Modifications to Hours of Work Provisions, Repeals Penalties for Breaches
The federal government recently published regulations amending the Exemptions from and Modifications to Hours of Work Provisions Regulations and the Administrative Monetary Penalties (Regulations). (For further information on the exemptions, please see our Federal Post from December 16, 2021, Federal Government Publishes Exemptions to New Hours of Work and Notice of Schedule Requirements under Canada…
Ontario Government Announces Consultations Related to Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) has announced two consultations on proposed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Regulations related to two occupational health and safety issues: protecting workers from heat stress and heat-related illnesses and poor outdoor air quality and workplace health and safety. The MLITSD…
Arbitrator Finds Mandatory Vaccination Policy to Be Reasonable
Arbitrator Goodfellow recently released his decision in Central West Local Health Integration Network v. Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 96. The issue before Arbitrator Goodfellow was the mandatory vaccination policy of two Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) employers—the Central West Local Health Integration Network and the Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network (collectively the…