Practice Area: Labour Relations

In Memoriam – John C. Kloosterman (1964 – 2019)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our partner John C. Kloosterman on May 28, 2019 in a motorcycle accident in California. We are all shocked by this news and our thoughts and prayers go to his spouse Jamie and the family.

In Memoriam – D. Brent Labord (1961 – 2019)

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our partner and friend D. Brent Labord on May 22, 2019. His passing is a great professional and personal loss for Hicks Morley, especially for those who had the honour and privilege of working with Brent over his long career at the firm.

Federal Government Tables 2019 Budget Bill

· 8 min read

On April 8, 2019, the federal government introduced Bill C-97, Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1, for first reading. Bill C-97 is omnibus legislation enacting certain measures outlined in the 2019 Federal Budget. Below are some of the key amendments of interest to employers, pension plan administrators and human resources professionals.

Ontario Budget 2019: Protecting What Matters Most – Key Human Resources Highlights

· 16 min read

On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its 2019 Budget, Protecting What Matters Most (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 100, the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 (Bill 100).

The Budget outlines key initiatives around broader public sector compensation, reforms within the healthcare sector, registered pension plans, freedom of information, and more. In this FTR Now, we highlight the proposals that are of particular interest to employers, benefits plan administrators and human resources professionals.

Bill 66 Passes, Amends ESA, LRA and PBA

· 3 min read

On April 3, 2019, Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019, received Royal Assent. Bill 66 is omnibus legislation which amends various statutes, including the following employment-related statutes: Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) The ESA has been amended to remove the need for employers to obtain the approval of the Director of Employment Standards in…

Coverage for Medical Cannabis under Ontario’s Workers’ Compensation System [Video]

· 5 min read

The legalization of recreational cannabis, which came into effect on October 17, 2018, has raised many questions for employers about cannabis use in the workplace, as well as potential coverage of cannabis under benefit plans. In this video, Mariana Kamenetsky and Kathryn Meehan talk about coverage for medical cannabis under Ontario’s workers’ compensation system.