On September 27, 2017, the Ontario government tabled Bill 160, Strengthening Quality and Accountability for Patients Act, 2017, omnibus legislation which addresses the delivery of healthcare services in Ontario. If passed, Bill 160 would create the following statutes: The Health Sector Payment Transparency Act, which would require disclosure of information about financial relationships within the…
Practice Area: Employment Law
Ontario Expands Access to Licensed Childcare in Schools
The Ontario government has announced that effective September 1, 2017, all publicly funded elementary schools serving students up to Grade 6 are required to provide before- and after-school programs for children aged 4-12 where there is a sufficient demand. The programs may be operated by a school board through a licensed childcare provider for children…
Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase on October 1, 2017
On October 1, 2017, the general minimum wage in Ontario will increase from $11.40 to $11.60 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. Note that the Ontario government has tabled legislation to increase…
Ontario Court Declines to Consider Wrongful Dismissal Action Where Ontario Resident Worked in Michigan
In its recent decision in Koutros v Persico USA Inc., the Ontario Superior Court of Justice set aside the service of a Statement of Claim and stayed an action on the basis that Michigan (not Ontario) was the appropriate jurisdiction in which to dispute the termination of an employment contract. The plaintiff lived near Windsor…
Big Changes to Bill 148 after Committee Review
On August 21, 2017, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (Committee) adopted significant amendments to Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 (Bill 148) which will be reported back to the Ontario Legislature when it resumes sitting on September 11, 2017…
Bill 148 and Pay Equity: A Changing Landscape and Increasing Scrutiny of Ontario Employers
As part of the 30th anniversary of the Pay Equity Act (Act), the Pay Equity Office has implemented several new initiatives in 2017 in support of its mandate to administer and enforce the Act. These initiatives, coupled with pending legislative changes under Bill 148, present significant changes and potential risks to employers across the province.
New Annual Quality Improvement Plan “Indicators” for Healthcare Organizations
Effective July 19, 2017, healthcare organizations are required to include indicators identified by the Minister in annual quality improvement plans (AQIP) under the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010 regulations. Specifically, amendments to the regulations outlined in O. Reg. 280/17 provide that the Minister, after having considered the advice of the Council, may direct a…
Budget Bill Passes, Making Significant Changes to the Canada Labour Code
In our Federal Post of May 30, 2017, we undertook to bring you a more detailed analysis of the changes to the Canada Labour Code (Code) enacted by Bill C-44, the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1, after it received Royal Assent…
Appellate Court Considers Payment of Commissions For Laid-Off Employee
In Bakshi v. Global Credit & Collection Inc., the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal of a decision of the Ontario Superior Court which had upheld the non-payment of commissions after lay-off on transactions that occurred prior to lay-off…
New and Longer EI Benefits are Coming
Much anticipated legislative reforms to the Employment Insurance (EI) regime in Canada will extend parental and maternity EI benefits and expand access to critically ill children benefits. Find out what the changes could mean for your organization in this FTR Now…