On November 8, 2023, the Ontario government announced its intention to introduce legislation that would include the following protections for injured workers: The government also announced it will be launching consultations on a new job-protected leave for employees who are dealing with a critical illness, such as cancer. This new leave would match the length…
Practice Area: Employment Law
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 Government Expands Role of Registered Nurses
Incoming changes to the Nursing Act (Act) will soon permit registered nurses (RNs) to prescribe certain drugs to their patients. On November 6, 2023, the Ontario government filed Ontario Regulation 336/23 (Regulation), amending the general regulation (O. Reg. 275/94) made under the Act. The Regulation supports the incoming changes to the Act and sets out,…
Ontario Announces Proposed Changes to Employment Requirements, Including Disclosure of Salary Ranges in Job Postings
On November 6, 2023, the Ontario government announced it will introduce legislation to require Ontario employers to disclose salary ranges in job postings. The legislation would also require employers to disclose whether they used artificial intelligence during the hiring process. Other proposed changes include: Further, the government announced that it will be conducting consultations on…
Ontario Government Announces 2024 WSIB Premium Rate
On October 31, 2023, the Ontario government announced the average premium rate businesses pay to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will remain at $1.30 per $100 of insurable payroll for 2024. The WSIB provides wage-loss benefits and medical coverage to Ontario employees and is completely funded by employer premiums. Premium rates for employers…
Federal Government Publishes Proposed Regulations Amending Certain Canada Labour Code Regulations and Invites Public Input
On October 28, 2023, the federal government issued a notice regarding proposed Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Labour Code (the Proposed Regulations). The Proposed Regulations would amend the hazardous substances requirements for five occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations under the Canada Labour Code. The Proposed Regulations look to fill gaps in…
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…
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…
Worker’s Compensation Updates for Ontario and British Columbia
The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and WorkSafeBC have made the following changes that may be of interest to employers. Ontario The WSIB has made changes to accident reporting timelines and the determination of average earnings for apprentices. Specifically, Operational Policy Manual 15-01-02 (Employers’ Initial Accident-Reporting Obligations) and Operational Policy Manual 11-02-01 (No…