906 Results

Changes to the Federal Pension Investment Rules

In March 2015, the federal government published final regulations amending investment rules under the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985 (“Regulations”). These reforms apply to federally registered pension plans and to pension plans registered in provincial jurisdictions that have adopted Schedule III of the Regulations, as amended (the “Federal Investment Rules” or “FIR”). As we previously…

Employment Standards Enforcement Blitzes Announced for Ontario Workplaces

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced that it will do province-wide enforcement blitzes of workplaces that employ “new, young and vulnerable workers engaged in “precarious employment”” and temporary foreign workers to ensure that employers are complying with their obligations under the Employment Standards Act, 2000. The blitzes will take place from May 1 to…

Ontario Begins Consultations on Labour and Employment Reform

On May 14, 2015, the Ontario government formally commenced the "Changing Workplaces" consultations first announced in February. To facilitate this process, the government also published a guide outlining the scope of the consultations, the specific issues on which the government is soliciting feedback and instructions on how to participate. You can view the government’s announcement…

(Yet Another) Ambiguous “ESA-only” Termination Provision Unenforceable

Another “ESA-only” termination provision in an employment contract has been found unenforceable by the Ontario Superior Court. In Howard v Benson Group, the Court decided that the termination provision providing only Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) minimum entitlements was ambiguous; therefore, the common law applied and the plaintiff was entitled to reasonable notice of termination….

New ESA Compliance Obligations in Force May 20, 2015

Effective May 20, 2015, amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA“) compliance obligations will come into force. These include new poster requirements and new powers for employment standards officers to order employer “self-audits.” In this FTR Now, we will review the new rules, and the impact that they will have on employers in Ontario….

WSIB Rate Framework Reform: Stakeholder Input Invited

On March 31, 2015, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) released a number of discussion papers which propose a preliminary Rate Framework which, if adopted, would fundamentally change the way the WSIB classifies Schedule 1 employers and sets its premium rates. Under the proposal, the Secondary Injury and Enhancement Fund (“SIEF”) and existing experience…

Hot Topics In Labour Relations

Materials Hot Topics in Labour Relations – PowerPoint Slides Client Toolkit: Employee Discipline for Off-Duty Social Media Comments Agenda In this presentation, 5 members of the firm will take you through a range of developments this past year in labour relations case law, professionalism and legislative reform including: The impact of the Supreme Court of…

Hicks Morley Congratulates Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2015

We would like to extend a very special congratulations to all the employers and in particular our many clients who made the list of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2015. Now entering its ninth year, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs. This competition recognizes successful…

Ontario Minimum Wage Increasing to $11.25 on October 1, 2015

On March 19, 2015, the Ontario government announced that the general minimum wage will increase from $11 to $11.25 per hour, effective October 1, 2015. A list of the new minimum wage rates for students, liquor servers, hunting and fishing guides and homeworkers is available on the Ministry of Labour’s website. Background information on the…