The Ontario Court of Appeal has issued a significant decision that brings much-needed clarity to the interpretation of employment contracts and the enforceability of termination provisions under the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
Publication Type: Article
Cleaner Reinstated Following Threat to Kill Supervisor
In Servantage Services Corporation v Unifor Local 3000, Arbitrator Rogers reinstated a cleaner dismissed for making a death threat, emphasizing the importance of proportionality and rehabilitative potential in disciplinary decisions.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ – Labour and Employment Development Roundup
Two World Cup-related decisions offer practical reminders for employers: major sporting events may influence disputes, but they do not change the legal tests that apply.
WSIB Announces Closure of Second Injury and Enhancement Fund as of June 16, 2026
WSIB’s closure of the Second Injury and Enhancement Fund (SIEF) means an end to cost relief for Schedule 1 employers.
Canada Tables Bill C-36, the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act
In our latest FTR Now Hicks Morley’s Victoria McCorkindale outlines significant changes for private sector organizations proposed in Bill C-36, the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act.
Ontario’s Municipal Accountability Act, 2025 Receives Royal Assent
Recent legislative developments have introduced key changes to municipal accountability in Ontario. Stephanie Jeronimo outlines what Ontario’s Municipal Accountability Act, 2025 means for municipalities, including new conduct standards, oversight and enforcement measures.
British Columbia Court of Appeal Confirms Remote Work Arrangements May Constitute Binding Contractual Terms
A recent British Columbia Court of Appeal decision confirmed that a longstanding remote work arrangement may become an enforceable term of employment, even if it is unwritten.
Ontario’s Court of Appeal Reaffirms the Limits of Justiciability in Dorceus v. Ontario
In Dorceus v. Ontario, the Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed that courts are not the place for sweeping political or scientific debates disconnected from viable legal claims. The decision is a useful reminder that civil claims must be grounded in material facts, that unmeritorious claims can be struck early, and that certain workplace-related disputes must proceed through the specialized forums with exclusive jurisdiction. Hicks Morley’s Shauna Bartlett reviews the decision and what it means for future claims.
Federal Equal Treatment and Temporary Help Agencies Regulations Published
New federal regulations will introduce equal treatment and temporary help agency obligations under the Canada Labour Code, with an in-force date of October 20, 2026. Hicks Morley’s George Vuicic outlines the key requirements and practical steps federally regulated employers should consider now.
Bill C-31 Introduces Federal Ban on Non-Compete Clauses and Other Employment-Related Restrictions
Bill C-31 would introduce a significant shift for federally regulated employers by proposing a broad prohibition on non-compete clauses and other employment-related restrictions, subject to narrow exemptions.
In this article, we review the proposed framework, key exemptions, transitional timing, and practical steps employers should consider now.