A federal election has been called for October 19, 2015. Under the Canada Elections Act (“Act“) all employees who are electors – Canadian citizens who are 18 years of age or older – are entitled to three (3) consecutive hours on election day during voting hours to cast their vote. In this FTR Now, we…
Practice Area: Labour Relations
Arbitrator Upholds Discharge of Long Service Employee with Clean Record for Theft
In a recent arbitration decision involving a case of petty theft in the workplace, an arbitrator provided very useful guidance on workplace theft and the mitigating factors an employer should take into account in determining the penalty. The…
Arbitrators Consider Whether Statutory Freeze Applies to MOU Provisions
In an award dated July 30, 2015 [1] (“CSDCEO Award”), Arbitrator Rowan held that the 97-day delay in salary grid movement for teachers, imposed in various teacher collective agreements by a centrally agreed Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”), was subject to the statutory freeze in the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (the “LRA”). Therefore, the provision could not…
Union Financial Disclosure Bill Receives Royal Assent
On June 30, 2015, Bill C-377, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (requirements for labour organizations), received Royal Assent. Bill C-377, a private member’s bill, requires unions to file certain financial information with the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) within six months from the end of each fiscal period. Among other things, information to…
Federal Post – First Edition
Dear Friends, We are excited to bring to you our first edition of the Federal Post, a newsletter designed exclusively for federally regulated employers. The Federal Post discusses issues that are topical, timely and important. It will cover the gamut of matters which impact your workplace, from human rights to minimum standards to labour relations…
Ontario Government to Amend Workplace Laws
On May 28, 2015, the Ontario government introduced Bill 109, the Employment and Labour Statute Law Amendment Act, 2015, proposed legislation intended to effect a number of changes to workplace laws, including: the labour relations provisions of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 ("FPPA"); the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, 1997 ("PSLRTA"); and…
School Board Back-to-Work Legislation Receives Royal Assent
On May 28, 2015, Bill 103, Protecting the School Year Act, 2015, received Royal Assent. This Bill was introduced by the Ontario government on May 25, 2015 and is back -to-work legislation regarding strikes at three school boards: the Durham District School Board, the Peel District School Board and the Rainbow District School Board. The…
OSSTF Found to Have Engaged in Unlawful Local Strikes
In its decision released on May 26, 2015, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (the “OLRB”) ruled that the ongoing Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (“OSSTF”) teacher strikes occurring at the Durham, Peel and Rainbow District School Boards were unlawful. This conclusion was reached on the basis that the scheme of the School Boards Collective Bargaining…
Province Introduces Back-to-Work Legislation
On May 25, 2015, the Ontario government introduced Bill 103, the Protecting the School Year Act, 2015. Bill 103 is back-to-work legislation intended to bring an end to ongoing strikes at three school boards – the Durham District School Board, the Peel District School Board and the Rainbow District School Board (collectively, the “School Boards”)….
Ontario Begins Consultations on Labour and Employment Reform
On May 14, 2015, the Ontario government formally commenced the "Changing Workplaces" consultations first announced in February. To facilitate this process, the government also published a guide outlining the scope of the consultations, the specific issues on which the government is soliciting feedback and instructions on how to participate. You can view the government’s announcement…