Effective March 16, 2015, significant reforms to the general holiday provisions of Part III of the Canada Labour Code will come into force. The amendments include the introduction of a new “holiday pay” formula and the elimination of certain qualifying requirements. In this FTR Now, we highlight key aspects of these pending changes and the…
Practice Area: Employment Law
Maintaining a Workplace Free of Sexual Harassment
Over the past several months, the issue of workplace sexual harassment has been in the spotlight and the subject of considerable discussion. In response to recent media attention, the Ontario Human Rights Commission recently issued a statement reiterating the legal duty of employers to prevent sexual harassment and to respond to any complaints in the…
BPS Accountability Legislation Passes with Significant Amendments
On December 9, 2014, the Ontario government passed Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, which gives the government the authority to create comprehensive compensation frameworks for certain employers in the broader public sector (“BPS”), and implements a number of measures to enhance “accountability and transparency” in the government and…
BPS Compensation and Accountability Legislation Receives Royal Assent
On December 11, 2014, Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014 (formerly Bill 179), received Royal Assent, as amended by the Standing Committe on General Government. Highlights of the Committee amendments and the impact of the legislation on affected organizations is now available in our FTR Now, “BPS Accountability Legislation Passes…
Omnibus Workplace Laws Bill Receives Royal Assent (Bill 18)
On November 20, 2014, Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014 (“Bill 18”) received Royal Assent, as amended by the Standing Committee on General Government. Among other matters, effective February 20, 2015 (i.e. three months after Royal Assent): the $10,000 cap on orders to pay wages under s. 103(4) of the…
Holiday Cheer: A Checklist For Employers
The holiday season is around the corner – and with it comes festivities and celebrations. Whether these seasonal events are large or small, employee health and safety remains a key priority for employers. In this FTR Now, we provide employers with a checklist of measures to consider implementing in planning for a safe holiday celebration….
Omnibus Workplace Laws Bill Amended at Committee Stage (Bill 18)
On November 4, 2014, Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014 (“Bill 18”) was reported back to the Legislature as amended by the Standing Committee on General Government, and has been ordered for Third Reading. Among other things, the Committee’s amendments will accelerate the coming into force of key amendments, including the following…
Amendments to Federal Health and Safety Regime in Force October 31, 2014
Important amendments to the health and safety regime in Part II of the Canada Labour Code (the “Code“), contained in the Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 2 (the “Act“), come into force on October 31, 2014. Among other things, the Act will amend the definition of danger which is central to the right of…
Federal Government Proposes Amendments to Temporary Foreign Worker Program
On October 23, 2014, the federal government introduced Bill C-43, Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2, omnibus legislation intended to further implement measures first announced in its Budget 2014, Economic Action Plan 2014. Among other matters, Division 24 of Part 4 of Bill C-43 would amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (“Act”) to support a…
New Employment Standards Leaves of Absence Coming Into Effect October 29, 2014
Effective October 29, 2014, three new job-protected leaves of absence will be added to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 – family caregiver leave, critically ill child care leave and crime-related child death or disappearance leave. The new leaves are in addition to existing leaves of absence available to employees under the Act, and can be…