Ontario has passed significant amendments to its freedom of information and privacy legislation, with important implications for public-sector institutions. This article outlines the key changes under Bill 97, what they may mean for public-sector employers and how organizations can begin preparing now.
Publication Name: FTR Now
Highlights from the Federal Government’s 2026 Spring Economic Update
The federal government’s 2026 Spring Economic Update includes several proposals that may affect employers, HR professionals and pension plan administrators.
Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal Clarifies and Strengthens Rules for Maintaining Proxy Pay Equity
The Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal has released a long awaited decision clarifying how proxy pay equity must be maintained over time. The decision offers helpful direction—while leaving practical questions. Lauri Reesor outlines the impact for employers in our latest article.
Highlights of the 2026 Ontario Budget
Ontario’s 2026 Budget — A Plan to Protect Ontario — is here, and employers, HR teams, and pension plan administrators will want to pay attention. Read our take on what Ontario employers need to know.
Temporary Employment Insurance Relief Extended Through October 2026
EI update for employers! Temporary relief measures introduced in response to U.S. tariffs are now extended to October 10, 2026. Read our FTR Now to learn more.
Employment Insurance Work-Sharing Program Special Measures Extended Into 2027
Temporary special measures under the EI Work Sharing Program have been extended until March 31, 2027. Clare Wooland examines why tariff-impacted employers may want to re evaluate whether to apply for the Program.
Worker Retention Grant for Employment Insurance Work-Sharing Employers Announced
The federal government has launched a new Worker Retention Grant that can boost Work Sharing income replacement benefits from 55% to up to approximately 70%. Andrew Easto breaks down what you need to know about eligibility, funding supports, and the potential upside for employers.
BC Labour Relations Board Overturns Arbitration Award Regarding Age 65 Cutoff to LTD Benefits
A recent BCLRB decision clarifies how age 65 LTD cut offs can still qualify as “bona fide” under human rights legislation. Natasha Monkman and Andrew Easto break down the decision and what this could mean for employers.
Back-to-Work Legislation Justified Under Section 1 of the Charter, Ontario Court of Appeal Holds in Landmark Decisions
The Ontario Court of Appeal has, for the first time, considered the constitutionality of back to work legislation under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter). As Canadian courts have previously recognized, section 2(d) of the Charter protects the rights of workers to advance their workplace goals through a collective bargaining process and to…
Year in Review: Notable Labour and Employment Law Decisions From 2025
Our annual Year in Review is here. In this article, Lesley Campbell, Ryan Freeman, Amanda Cohen, Rhonda B. Levy, and Owais Hashmi outline the most influential labour and employment decisions of 2025 and highlight two upcoming rulings that employers can expect to plan for the year ahead
