On September 1, 2021, the Ontario government announced that it will require individuals to provide proof of vaccination in order to access designated public settings, beginning on September 22, 2021. Regulatory amendments have also been filed regarding the paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL) and the indoor instructional space at post-secondary institutions requirements in the…
Practice Area: Occupational Health
Vaccination Instructions for Colleges Issued by Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health
On August 30, 2021, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health issued instructions (Instructions) to certain organizations in the post-secondary education sector regarding the implementation of a mandatory vaccine policy for employees, staff, contractors, volunteers and students. The Instructions recognize that some employees, staff, contractors, volunteers and students may remain unvaccinated. The Instructions have…
Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Issues Separate Vaccine Instructions to Certain Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services Providers
On August 30, 2021, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH) issued two sets of instructions (Instructions) to certain Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) funded agencies, regarding the implementation of a mandatory vaccine policy. One set of Instructions applies specifically to Children’s Treatment Centres and certain third parties that provide contracted…
Ontario Issues Updated Guidance on Isolation Requirements
On August 11, 2021, the Ontario government released COVID-19 Fully Immunized and Previously Positive Individuals: Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance (Guidance). It contains “updated recommendations for case and contact, and outbreak management of fully immunized and previously positive individuals in Ontario,” in light of the vaccination rollout and the emergence of variants of…
Ontario Consults on Proposed OHSA Regulatory Amendments for Mining Industry
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (Ministry) has launched a consultation with respect to proposed amendments to regulatory requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) that apply to mines and mining plants. The proposed amendments aim to “increase flexibility, better reflect current technology, and reduce the regulatory burden” currently set out…
Ontario Launches Tower Crane Health and Safety Consultation
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (Ministry) has launched a Consultation on Improving Health and Safety Requirements relating to Tower Cranes, which aims to update current legislative requirements for the operation of tower cranes. The consultation is focused on the requirements set out in the Construction Project Regulation, O. Reg. 213/91, and O….
Ontario Consults on OHSA Regulations Relating to Notice of Project and Head Protection Requirements
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (Ministry) is seeking input from interested parties in respect of regulatory proposals to modernize the Notice of Project and worker head protection requirements for workplaces in Ontario that fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Proposed Changes to Notice of Project Requirements The intention…
Important Updates Regarding the Federal Pay Equity Act, the Canada Labour Code and CLC Regulations
In this Federal Post, we cover recent developments with respect to the federal Pay Equity Act, amendments to the Canada Labour Code (CLC) and highlight the proposed amendments to the CLC Regulations that are currently open for public consultation. Federal Pay Equity Act In Force on August 31, 2021 By: Lucy Wu The federal Pay…
Appellate Court Upholds Jury Award of $150,000 Punitive Damages Against Employer
In a recent decision, Eynon v. Simplicity Air Ltd., the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a punitive damages award of $150,000 against an employer for the actions of two of its supervisors after an employee’s workplace injury. The appeal to the Court of Appeal was from a jury award of punitive damages. The respondent employee…
Amendments Made to Notice and Reporting Requirements under OHSA
On June 7, 2021, the Ontario government filed amendments to a number of regulations made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Most of the amendments relate to the reporting of workplace accidents, which consolidate the notice of death or critical injury reporting requirements found in several regulations under the OHSA into one regulation—Ontario…