On October 16, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it is moving York Region into the Rules for Areas in Stage 2, effective October 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in that area. This is in effect for 28 days. We discussed the modifications made to the Rules for…
Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update
Deadlines under Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act are Approaching
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) sets out the process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards in Ontario. Its purpose is to achieve accessibility standards for Ontarians with physical and mental disabilities by 2025. All levels of government, private sector organizations and non-profit organizations must comply with this legislation. Compliance deadline dates depend…
Ontario Moves Forward with Amendments to the Class Proceedings Act, 1992
Recent reforms to Ontario’s class action regime will come into effect on October 1, 2020. Ontario’s Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, 2020 (Act), which received Royal Assent on July 8, 2020, amends various statutes related to the province’s courts and justice system. Schedule 4 of the Act makes significant revisions to the Class Proceedings Act,…
COVID-19 Update: Restrictions Imposed Across Ontario, and Orders Extended to October 22
Note: this post has been modified from its original publication on September 18, 2020 The Ontario government has imposed restrictions on the number of people who can attend unmonitored social gatherings and public events across all Ontario regions in light of the increase of COVID-19 cases in these areas. These restrictions are directed to private…
Public Consultation on Ontario Privacy Law Reform for Private Sector
The Ontario government has opened a public consultation phase seeking input on reform for private sector privacy law, specifically to address gaps in the existing law and to enact new rules to protect privacy rights and increase confidence in digital services. This could be an initial step towards the introduction of a private sector privacy…
Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2020
On October 1, 2020, the general minimum wage in Ontario will increase from $14.00 to $14.25 an hour. This minimum wage applies to most employees. Minimum wage rates will also increase for the following employees: students: from $13.15 to $13.40 an hour liquor servers: from $12.20 to $12.45 an hour homeworkers: from $15.40 to $15.70…
Temporary Change to Federal Policy Will Permit Visitors to Apply For and Obtain a Work Permit While In Canada
The federal government has announced a temporary policy change that will permit visitors currently in Canada who have a valid job offer to apply for, and receive, an employer-specific work permit without having to leave Canada, effective August 24, 2020.
Ontario Extends Orders Relating to COVID-19
On August 20, 2020, the Ontario government announced that most orders made as a result of COVID-19 are extended to September 22, 2020 (subject to exceptions below). These orders were initially made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and, with the end of the declared emergency on July 24, 2020, were extended under…
Federal Government Introduces Updated CEWS Calculator
The federal government has announced the launch of an updated online calculator to help employers prepare for the next period of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program. Employers can use the updated CEWS calculator for claim periods 1 through 5, and more periods will be added as they become available.
Ontario Announces City of Toronto and Peel Region Moving to Stage 3 of Reopening
Today, the Ontario government announced that the City of Toronto and Peel Region can move into Stage 3 of the provincial reopening, effective July 31 at 12:01 a.m. The rules regarding Stage 3 are set out in Regulation 364/20 which has been continued under the recently enacted Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act,…