Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update

New Federal Online Harms Bill: Possible Implications for Federal Employers

· 2 min read

The federal government tabled Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act (Bill C-63) on February 26, 2024. Bill C-63 aims to curb online harms, especially to children, by targeting the spread of harmful content on social media. If passed, key features would include the establishment of the Digital Safety Commission of Canada, the introduction of an…

WSIB Revises Mental Stress Policies to Clarify Role of Witnesses

· 1 min read

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has announced that minor revisions to the Operational Policy Manual documents 15-03-02, Traumatic Mental Stress and 15-03-14, Chronic Mental Stress are in effect as of March 1, 2024. As stated by the WSIB, the revisions are intended “to clarify the role of witness evidence in the adjudication of…

Proposed Regulatory Amendments to Teacher Assignment and Proficiency in Mathematics

· 2 min read

The Ontario government recently posted two regulatory amendments related to teacher assignments and proficiency in mathematics for comment. The first is the Proposed Regulatory Amendments to Teacher Assignments. Regulation 298 made under the Education Act mandates that principals must assign their teachers to the best possible program, in accordance with the teacher’s qualifications or as…

Ontario Repeals Bill 124

· 1 min read

On February 23, 2024, the Ontario government repealed Bill 124, Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019 (Act) in its entirety through an Order in Council, as was permitted by the Act. For more on the Act and the government’s prior announcement to repeal it, please see our FTR Now Ontario Court…

Federal Government Issues Guidelines on Monetary Penalties Under the Employment Equity Act

· 2 min read

On February 13, 2024, Employment and Social Development Canada issued updated guidelines on the Employment Equity Act – Monetary Penalties – IPG-121 (Guidelines). The Guidelines apply to employers subject to the Legislated Employment Equity Program (LEEP) under the Employment Equity Act (Act). The LEEP applies to: The LEEP employers have reporting obligations under the Act….

Employment Expenses: Updated Process and T2200 Form

· 4 min read

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has published revised guidance on the process for claiming home office expenses for the 2023 taxation year just in time for tax season. The CRA has confirmed that the two temporary methods for claiming deductions for home office expenses—form T2200S, “Declaration of Conditions of Employment for Working at Home Due…

Federal Government Launches Employment Equity Tool on Workforce Data

· 1 min read

On February 2, 2024, the federal government launched a new website, Equi’Vision. It is an employment equity tool which the government states provides “user-friendly, easily comparable data on workforce representation rates and the pay gaps” experienced by women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. These groups are the designated groups under…

Ontario Seeking Employer Feedback on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

· 1 min read

For employers who are involved with the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is seeking feedback on the employer job offer streams as well as employer experience with the Program, among other things. Employers wishing to provide feedback may do so by completing the Ministry’s survey, found on…

Ontario Launching New Long-Term Care Home Investigations Unit

· 1 min read

The Ontario government recently announced a new 10-person investigations unit to investigate allegations of provincial offences under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 (FLTCA). The allegations the investigation unit is tasked with investigating include: The work of the investigations unit is distinct from the work of inspectors under the FLTCA. The investigations unit is tasked…