Federal Budget 2013 Highlights

On March 21, 2013, the federal government tabled its Budget 2013, Jobs Growth and Long Term Prosperity – Economic Action Plan 2013. Some of the highlights of interest to employers and pension plan administrators include: simplified GST/HST pension plan rules for employers; amendments to the Income Tax Act to permit the correction of reasonable pension…

Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013 Introduced

On March 20, 2013, Bill 32, Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2013, was introduced in the Ontario Legislature. Bill 32 is a Private Member’s Bill which is co-sponsored by three Members of Provincial Parliament, one from each of the Liberal, PC and NDP parties. Bill 32 reintroduces Bill 28, Registered Human Resources Professionals Act, 2011,…

Federal Budget 2013 Introduced

Today, the federal government tabled its Budget 2013, Jobs, Growth and Long Term Prosperity – Economic Action Plan 2013. Hicks Morley is in the process of reviewing the Budget. An FTR Now outlining the Budget’s highlights for employers and pension plan administrators will be available shortly on our website.  

Hicks Morley Recognized by Chambers Global 2013

Hicks Morley is pleased to announce it has been named in the Chambers Global 2013: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a leading specialist practice for Employment & Labour and Pensions & Benefits in Canada. In commenting on the firm, sources have stated, “Hicks Morley always does an excellent job regarding labour matters.” “A…

Certain Sections of Helping Families in Need Act Proclaimed into Force

Sections 15, 16 and 21 of the Helping Families in Need Act (“Act”) have been proclaimed into force effective March 24, 2013. Sections 15 and 16 amend the Employment Insurance Act (“EI Act”) to allow insured and self-employed persons who are in receipt of employment insurance (“EI”) parental benefits to qualify for EI sickness benefits…

Leaves to Help Families Act Introduced

On March 5, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 21, Employment Standards Amendment Act (Leaves to Help Families), 2013. If passed, Bill 21 would allow eligible employees to take the following three unpaid leaves of absences: Family Caregiver Leave Employees would be entitled to take an unpaid leave of absence to provide care or support…

John Field Mentioned in The Lawyers Weekly

Hicks Morley’s John Field was mentioned in the March 1, 2013 edition of The Lawyers Weekly in an article entitled, “Case shows individual nature of constructive dismissal”. The article discusses the Ontario Divisional Court’s decision in Kafka V. Allstate Insurance Co. of Canada where the Divisional Court unanimously upheld the Class Proceedings Judge’s decision which…

Alberta Court of Appeal Considers Restrictive Covenants and Fiduciary Duties

In Evans v. The Sports Corporation, the Alberta Court of Appeal provides some important guidance on what classes of employees will be considered fiduciaries and what type of conduct will constitute solicitation of clients. Richard Evans was employed for six years by The Sports Corporation (“TSC”) as a sports agent responsible for TSC prospects and…

Court of Appeal for Ontario Finds Restrictive Covenants Unreasonable and Unenforceable

In Martin v. ConCreate USL Limited Partnership, a decision released yesterday, the Court of Appeal for Ontario determined that the restrictive covenants included in sale of business agreements were unenforceable.  Among other things, the Court found that the duration for the covenants was unreasonable because it was “for an indeterminate period, and there is no fixed,…