Practice Area: Labour Relations

Ontario Proposes Significant Reforms to Pension and Employment-Related Statutes

· 2 min read

On November 15, 2018, the Ontario government introduced Bill 57, the Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018, omnibus legislation supporting key reforms outlined in the 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review (Fiscal Review), titled, “A Plan For the People,” which was also released on that date.

Ontario Government Tables Legislation Impacting Bargaining and Interest Arbitration in the Fire Sector

· 7 min read

On November 15, 2018, the Ontario government introduced Bill 57, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018 (Bill 57), omnibus legislation giving effect to initiatives found in its 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review. If passed, Schedule 18 of Bill 57 will amend the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) to, among other things, address collective bargaining and interest arbitration in the sector, and enhance protections for volunteer firefighters engaged in “two hatting.”

FTR Quarterly – Issue 11

· 9 min read

In This Issue Considering Cannabis Coverage under Benefits Plans Recreational Cannabis and Your Workplace: Five Steps to Consider Featured Topic – Cannabis Expertise Featured Articles Considering Cannabis Coverage under Benefits Plans By: Natasha D. Monkman With the legalization of recreational cannabis on October 17, 2018, employers across Canada have been preparing to answer questions about whether…

End of the Bill 148 Era: Ontario Bill to Reverse Employment and Labour Reforms

· 17 min read

On October 23, 2018, the Ontario government introduced Bill 47, the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018 (Bill 47), new legislation that if passed in its present form would effectively “undo” many of the key changes to workplace laws implemented by Bill 148. The range of changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA)…

Ontario Introduces Legislation to Reverse Key Bill 148 Employment and Labour Reforms

· 3 min read

On October 23, 2018, the Ontario government announced that it will be introducing proposed legislation today to repeal many of the significant employment and labour law reforms enacted by Bill 148 – including provisions with respect to equal pay, paid personal emergency (PEL) days, scheduling, card-based certification for certain industries and eliminating the requirement that employers provide unions with contact information for employees where they demonstrate that they have 20% support. Learn more in this FTR Now.

Chambers Canada 2019 Guide Recognizes Hicks Morley for Employment and Labour, Pensions and Benefits, and Privacy and Data Protection

Hicks Morley has been recognized in Chambers Canada 2019 Guide for Employment & Labour – Nationwide and Ontario, and Pensions & Benefits – Nationwide. The firm receives praise from clients for giving “sound advice and explaining things in a business-friendly way,” as well as for its “very strong bench” as well as its “technical expertise and promptness.”

Congratulations to our lawyers who have been recognized as notable practitioners in Chambers Canada 2019.

Cannabis in the Workplace: Workplace Policy [Video]

· 5 min read

In light of the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis, it is critical that employers review all current policies to determine whether revisions are required. In this video, Jacqueline Luksha reviews key features of a Drug and Alcohol policy related to cannabis in the workplace. She also discusses the importance of training regarding cannabis use, and touches on policies dealing with accommodation requests.