The federal government is seeking input from interested participants on the development of federal accessibility standards under the Accessible Canada Act (Act), which came into force in July 2019.
Practice Area: Employment Law
Ontario Government Announces Extension of Temporary Relief from ESA Termination and Severance Provisions
On Thursday, September 3, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it would be extending the temporary relief measures from the termination and severance provisions of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) until January 2, 2021. The temporary measures are found in Ontario Regulation 228/20, Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL Regulation), and had been set to expire today (September 4, 2020). The IDEL Regulation has been amended to define the “COVID-19 period” as that period beginning on March 1, 2020 and ending on January 2, 2021
Proposed Extension of Current CEWS Calculation for Inactive Employees Through Claim Period 7
The federal government has announced that it proposes to extend the current treatment of employees on leave with pay under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program by four weeks, from August 30, 2020 to September 26, 2020 (CEWS claim period 7).
Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2020
On October 1, 2020, the general minimum wage in Ontario will increase from $14.00 to $14.25 an hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates will also increase for the following employees: students: from $13.15 to $13.40 an hour liquor servers: from $12.20 to $12.45 an hour homeworkers: from $15.40 to $15.70…
Details of Extensive Changes to Employment Insurance and Canada Emergency Response Benefit Announced
In the latest evolution of the federal government’s response to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, on August 19, 2020, amendments to the Employment Insurance Act (EI Act) were published and, on August 20, 2020, the government announced new measures to support affected Canadians who continue to be unable to work due to COVID-19.
Temporary Change to Federal Policy Will Permit Visitors to Apply For and Obtain a Work Permit While In Canada
The federal government has announced a temporary policy change that will permit visitors currently in Canada who have a valid job offer to apply for, and receive, an employer-specific work permit without having to leave Canada, effective August 24, 2020.
Ontario Extends Orders Relating to COVID-19
On August 20, 2020, the Ontario government announced that most orders made as a result of COVID-19 are extended to September 22, 2020 (subject to exceptions below). These orders were initially made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and, with the end of the declared emergency on July 24, 2020, were extended under…
Ontario Court of Appeal Comments on Notice Entitlements Following an Asset Transaction
In Manthadi v. ASCO Manufacturing, the Ontario Court of Appeal unanimously found that summary judgment was not appropriate in a case where a plaintiff was awarded 20 months’ reasonable notice damages after one month service with a company (Purchaser) that had bought the assets of her former employer (Vendor). The Court set aside the summary…
Ontario (Again) Updates Its COVID-19 Self-Assessment
Ontario employers who are planning for an eventual return to work have been keeping a close eye on the province’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool (Tool). The Tool directs Ontarians to self-isolate in certain circumstances. This is important because it relates to employers’ Occupational Health and Safety Act duties and their duty to provide statutorily-protected leaves under the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
New Federal Act to Permit Extensions to Time Limits in Federal Legislation as a Result of COVID-19
Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures, which passed on July 27, 2020, has enacted new legislation that permits the temporary suspension or extension of time limits or other periods specified in federal legislation or in court proceedings governed by federal legislation that are difficult or impossible to meet in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.