Our recent FTR Now provided an overview of notable “non-pandemic” legal developments from 2021. In this FTR Now, we provide a round-up of key COVID-19 cases, which include decisions on issues such as wrongful dismissal, mandatory vaccination and human rights. These decisions will be of interest to employers and HR professionals as we move forward into…
Publication Type: Article
Further Details Regarding Ontario’s Move to Modified Step 2 of Roadmap to Reopen
As we previously reported, effective January 5, 2022, all public health units in Ontario have been temporarily moved to modified Rules for Areas in Step 2 of the province’s Roadmap to Reopen. These changes will remain in effect until at least January 26, 2022, subject to “trends in public health and health system indicators.” As a result, all public health units in the province are now subject to the conditions established by O. Reg. 263/20, Rules for Areas in Step 2, as amended by O. Reg. 2/22.
Beyond COVID-19: 2021 Year in Review – Cases and Legislation of Note
Employers and human resource professionals will undoubtedly remember 2021 as another year shaped by the pandemic. But … there were also legal developments in 2021 that were not related to COVID-19. In this FTR Now, we look at some of the year’s notable “non-pandemic” cases and legislative developments of interest.
Year-End Roundup
We are back with another edition of Reaching Out. With 2021 drawing to a close, we thought it appropriate to update you on some non-COVID-19-related developments.
Federal Government Publishes Exemptions to New Hours of Work and Notice of Schedule Requirements under Canada Labour Code
The federal government recently published Exemptions from and Modifications to Hours of Work Provisions Regulations (Regulations) made under the Canada Labour Code (CLC). The Regulations provide certain exemptions and modifications to the CLC provisions requiring employers to provide 96 hours’ notice of work schedule, 24 hours’ notice of shift change, 30-minute breaks every 5 hours…
Ontario Announces Further Extension of Paid and Deemed Infectious Disease Emergency Leaves
On December 7, 2021, the Ontario government announced that it would be extending the program that provides eligible employees with up to three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave (Paid IDEL) until July 31, 2022 (previously set to expire December 31, 2021). The government also announced that it would be extending the temporary relief…
Federal Government Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Federally Regulated Workplaces
On December 7, 2021, the federal government announced that it will propose regulations under Part II of the Canada Labour Code to make vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory in all federally regulated workplaces. The government stated that it will be consulting with key stakeholders on these new regulations, which it anticipates will come into force in…
Ontario Passes Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, As Amended at Committee
On November 30, 2021, the Ontario government passed Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021.
The Bill will amend a number of statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997….
Court Denies Injunction Motions and Allows Mandatory Vaccination Policies to be Implemented
The Ontario Superior Court has refused to stay the implementation of two mandatory workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies, pending the outcome of grievance arbitrations challenging the validity of those policies. On November 20, 2021, the Court rendered its decision in Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113 et al v. Toronto Transit Commission and National Organized Workers Union…
Ministry Issues Updated Directive for Vaccination Requirements in Long-Term Care Homes
On November 4, 2021, the Minister of Long-Term Care issued an updated Long-term care home COVID-19 immunization policy directive (Directive). The Directive is effective as of November 4, 2021 and replaces the previous version dated October 1, 2021, which we covered in our HR HealthCheck of October 13, 2021. Under the Directive, every licensee of…