In May 2024, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario released Sharing Information in Situations Involving Intimate Partner Violence: Guidance for Professionals (the Guidance). The Guidance was developed as a result of a 2022 coroner’s inquest into three deaths caused by intimate partner violence (IPV). The Guidance is helpful for organizations, service providers and staff…
Hicks Morley publishes a number of materials, both electronic and print, on issue-specific and sector-specific topics of interest to our clients. Our insights section has links to all of our various publications, updates and blogs, both current and historical, to keep you informed of developments in the law that impact human resources.
Raising the Bar
Federal Court Issues Updated Notice Regarding the Use of AI in Court Proceedings
In light of the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the legal profession, the Federal Court has issued an updated notice regarding the use of AI in Court proceedings (Notice). The Notice implements procedural safeguards for the use of AI in legal proceedings and imposes certain duties on counsel with respect to AI use….
Common Ground? Class Action Updates
Court Stays Employee Misclassification Class Action in Favour of Arbitration
In Wasylyk v. Lyft, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued a stay of a proposed employee misclassification class action in favour of private arbitration. The case provides an illustration of the factors that may support the enforceability of an arbitration clause in disputes related to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). The plaintiff filed…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Update on Federal Pay Equity Plan Posting Extension Requests
As discussed in our March 11, 2024 Human Resources Legislative Update, federally regulated employers are required to post their final pay equity plans and notices of pay increases by September 3, 2024. An employer may file a request for authorization to extend this posting deadline, and guidance documents related to this authorization process are available…
Case In Point
Student Violence May Form Basis for a Teacher’s Lawful Work Refusal
A recent Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) decision found that two teachers engaged in a lawful work refusal when they refused to return to work following a classroom incident where a student engaged in a violent episode against another staff member. In Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association v Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, three teachers…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Budget Bill Receives Royal Assent
As discussed in our April 3, 2024 FTR Now, on March 26, 2024, the Ontario government tabled its 2024 Budget and introduced Bill 180, Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 (Bill 180). Bill 180 received Royal Assent on May 16, 2024. Employers, human resources professionals and pension plan administrators should be aware of…
Human Resources Legislative Update
The Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent
As discussed in our February 28, 2024 FTR Now, on February 26, 2024 the Ontario government introduced Bill 166, Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 (Bill 166). Bill 166 received Royal Assent on May 16, 2024. Policy Requirements Bill 166 amends the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act (Act) to require every college…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Introduces Legislation to Address Cyber Security in the Public Sector
On May 13, 2024, the Ontario government tabled Bill 194, Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024 (Bill 194). If passed, Schedule 1 of Bill 194 would enact the Enhancing Digital Security and Trust Act, 2024. Amendments would also be made to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Invites Comments on Bill 190, Working for Workers Five Act, 2024
The Ontario government is inviting comments on proposed amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) found in Bill 190, Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 (Bill 190). We discussed Bill 190 in our FTR Now of May 7, 2024 Ontario Introduces Working for Workers Five Act,…
FTR Now
Highlights of the 2024 Federal Budget and Budget Bill
On May 2, 2024, the federal government introduced Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024, for first reading. Bill C-69 contains legislation that, if passed, would enact certain measures outlined in the 2024 Budget, “Fairness for Every Generation” (Budget) that was previously tabled on…