The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced that it will do over 20 targeted blitzes at Ontario workplaces from May 2, 2016 to March 31, 2017. The Ministry will investigate potential violations of employment standards and occupational health and safety laws at targeted workplaces which include food services, retail stores, construction sites, mines and, in…
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.
FTR Now
Ontario Passes Legislation Creating a Statutory Presumption of Work-Relatedness for First Responders Diagnosed with PTSD
On April 5, 2016, the Ontario government passed Bill 163, Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) 2016, amending the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (“WSIA”) and the Ministry of Labour Act. The Bill will come into force upon Royal Assent.
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Passes PTSD Bill
On April 5, 2016, Bill 163, Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), 2016, passed Third Reading as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. As previously reported, Bill 163 amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 to create a rebuttable statutory presumption in favour of granting workers’ compensation benefits to certain…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Federal Government Consults on PIPEDA Data Breach Regulations
On March 4, 2016, the federal government posted Data Breach Notification and Reporting Regulations (Regulations) for public discussion. Amendments to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) enacted by the Digital Privacy Act (Bill S-4) will, upon proclamation, require private sector organizations to notify the public in circumstances where security safeguards involving their…
FTR Now
Federal Budget 2016
On March 22, 2016, the federal government tabled its 2016 Budget, Growing the Middle Class (Budget). While certain key legislative initiatives are already underway in respect of reforms to the federal labour regime…
Human Resources Legislative Update
CAPSA Consults on Revised Pension Plan Governance Guideline
On March 11, 2016, the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) released draft revisions to CAPSA Guideline No. 4: Pension Plan Governance and the related Self-Assessment Questionnaire and FAQ Document for consultation.
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2016
On October 1, 2016, the general minimum wage in Ontario will increase from $11.25 to $11.40 an hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates for specified students, liquor servers, hunting and fishing guides and homeworkers will increase on the same date.
Human Resources Legislative Update
Qualified Foreign Pension Fund Exemptions for Certain U.S. Investment Offerings
Canadian pension funds are continually seeking investment opportunities abroad with a view to diversifying their portfolio and maximizing risk-adjusted returns. Offerings of investments in U.S. real estate and infrastructure projects will likely increase as a result of recent U.S. legal reforms which aim to attract foreign investment in these areas. Under the U.S. Foreign Investment in Real…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Proposes Regulatory Amendments to Prohibit Use of Medical Marijuana Vaporizers in Workplaces
On March 10, 2016, the Ontario government introduced Bill 178, Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act, 2016. If passed, Bill 178 would amend the Smoke Free Ontario Act to provide for prescribed products and substances, in addition to tobacco. Among other things, Bill 178 would prohibit a person from smoking a prescribed product or substance or holding…
Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Proposes Elimination of the “30% Rule” for Pension Investment
Further to announcements made in its 2015 Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, the Ontario government is soliciting feedback on proposed regulatory reforms that would eliminate the current investment rule that prohibits plan administrators from making investments that result in pension funds owning more than 30% of the voting shares of a corporation. The so-called “30% rule”…