On September 24, 2021, the Ontario government announced that effective September 25, 2021 at 12:01 am, it is easing capacity limits for certain indoor and outdoor settings where proof of vaccination is required. Proof of vaccination will also be required for additional specified outdoor settings. Ontario Regulation 678/21 amends Ontario Regulation 364/20, Rules for Areas…
Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Human Rights Commission Releases Policy Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates and Proof of Vaccination
On September 22, 2021, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released “OHRC policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates” (Policy). The Policy sets out the OHRC’s position on a number of issues related to the government requirement that, starting September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated and provide…
Ontario Seeks Input Regarding the Establishment of Minimum Standards for School Board Trustee Codes of Conduct
On September 17, 2021, the Ontario government announced that it is seeking input from stakeholders and members of the public regarding the establishment of “minimum standards” for school board trustee codes of conduct. The deadline for submissions is November 1, 2021. Section 218.2(1) of Ontario’s Education Act currently provides that a school board “may adopt…
Ontario Introduces Process for WSIB to Recover Overpayments Made to Employers with Respect to Paid IDEL
On September 3, 2021, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 637/21 made under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). The regulation sets out the process by which an overpayment made by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for paid infectious disease emergency leave (Paid IDEL) may be recovered from an employer. As we…
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 Consults on the “Future of Work” as it enters COVID-19 Recovery Phase
The Ontario government has established a Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee to lead consultations and to provide recommendations on the “future of work” in the province. As stated by the government, the Committee’s recommendations regarding the “future of work” will focus on three pillars: Economic recovery: How to make Ontario the top jurisdiction with a world-class…
Federal Ministry of Labour Launches Task Force to Review Employment Equity Act
On July 14, 2021, the federal Minister of Labour announced that it has launched a Task Force with the purpose of “making concrete, independent and evidence-based recommendations to the Minister of Labour on how to modernize” the Employment Equity Act (Act). The Task Force is looking into issues surrounding employment equity and inclusion in federally…
Ontario Consultation on WSIB Surplus Distribution Model
Ontario has launched a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Surplus Distribution Model consultation on how and when the WSIB should distribute any surplus funds. The Operational Review Report sets out 25 recommendations, one that proposes the government adopt a sufficiency ratio between 115% and 125% for the WSIB fund. At 115% sufficiency, the WSIB…
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….