Ontario has mandated new “Student and Family Support Offices” across all school boards. In this School Board Update, Dolores Barbini explores the expectations associated with the Offices and how boards can prepare for the transition.
Publication Type: Article
Proposed Pension Act Amendments Could Reshape JSPP Transfer Framework
Hicks Morley’s Natasha Monkman and David Gruber break down the latest amendments to the Pension Benefits Act introduced in Bill 68 that pave the way for converting a defined contribution (DC) plan into a jointly sponsored pension plan (JSPP).
Ontario Government Responds to Poirier Review Recommendations Regarding OMERS
Natasha Monkman and Andrew Easto unpack key takeaways from the recently released OMERS Governance Review Report and examine how the proposed reforms may affect employers and plan sponsors.
Federal Budget 2025: Key Highlights for Employers and Pension Plan Administrators
On November 04, 2025, the federal government tabled its 2025 budget, “Canada Strong“ (budget). While focused on economic spending, infrastructure, and housing, the budget also introduced several significant initiatives impacting employers, pension plan administrators, and human resources professionals. We have summarized the most significant of these announcements below. Labour and Employment Employment Insurance (EI) Retirement…
Less Paperwork, More Time: Licensing Period for Temporary Help Agencies and Recruiters Extended to Two Years
In this FTR Now, Andrew Movrin and Jessica Toldo break down the recent two-year extension to temporary help agencies’ and recruiters’ licensing, and what organizations should be mindful of.
Federal Government Implements Extensions to Temporary Employment Insurance Relief Measures in Response to Tariffs
In this FTR Now, Andrew Easto and Bayley Winkel discuss the extension to Employment Insurance measures now in affect and how they may impact both employers and employees.
Lessons in Labour Relations for School Board Employers
Recent arbitration rulings and initiatives are reshaping how Ontario school boards interpret key employment and education provisions. In this School Board Update, Brittany Bates, Jordynne Hislop and Vincent Panetta will review the decisions and discuss how they provide guidance for school boards in refining policy frameworks.
When Last Chance Truly Means Last Chance: Arbitrator Upholds Termination Over Unauthorized Absence
Hicks Morley’s Madeline Lusk examines why an employer’s decision to terminate after an employee breached a last chance agreement was upheld.
School Boards Take Note: Arbitrator Finds Class Size Maxima Still Apply to Mainstream Classes with Special Needs Students Expecting to Receive Less than Full Credit
In this School Board Update, Hicks Morley’s Michael Hines and Brittany Bates review the recent decision in Avon Maitland District School Board v Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, where Arbitrator Robert Herman concluded that standard class size maxima pursuant to the collective agreement still apply even when mainstream classes include special needs students expecting to receive less than full credit.
Federal Government Extends Temporary Employment Insurance Relief Measures in Response to Tariffs
Temporary employment insurance relief measures extended – in this FTR Now, Natasha Monkman and Andrew Easto provide an update on the recent announcement by the Federal Government designed to support employers in continued response to US Tariffs.