We would like to remind our college and university clients that the Ontario government recently passed Bill 26, Strengthening Post-secondary Institutions and Students Act, 2022. Among other things, Bill 26 amends the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act and the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 to require post-secondary institutions to address faculty and staff…
Publication Type: Article
Arbitrator Addresses Reasonableness of Hospital Vaccination Policy Providing for Termination of Employment
On April 26, 2023, Arbitrator Robert Herman released his award in Lakeridge Health and CUPE, Local 6364. The award addressed two policy grievances and four individual grievances arising from the hospital’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. This is the first Ontario arbitration decision involving a hospital that has addressed the reasonableness of a vaccination policy which…
Ontario Proposes Significant Amendments Impacting School Board Sector
On April 17, 2023, the Ontario government introduced Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 for First Reading. If passed, Bill 98 would amend the Education Act, the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 and the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007. The government has invited interested stakeholders to comment on the proposed amendments…
Did You Ask to Share That? Arbitrator Comments on School Board’s Ability to Share Medical Information with Third Party
In Toronto Catholic District School Board v Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1328, Arbitrator Goodfellow recently issued a local arbitration decision concerning the administration of the Board’s sick leave and short-term disability plans. The hearing related to multiple grievances all touching on similar issues. Arbitrator Goodfellow specifically answered two questions: (i) Could the Board…
Ontario Issues Regulations for New Requirements for Construction Sites
On March 15, 2023, Ontario announced proposed changes to jobsite requirements in the construction sector. On March 29, the government filed proposed regulatory changes to amend the Construction Projects Regulation (the Regulation) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The proposed regulatory changes will amend section 21 of the Regulation, which addresses protective clothing, equipment…
Federal Government Tables 2023 Budget
On March 28, 2023, the federal government tabled its 2023 budget, “A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future.” The Budget covers a wide array of initiatives. While health and dental care, efforts to make life more affordable, and investments in green energy are key areas of focus, the Budget includes several proposals…
Paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave Ending March 31, 2023
On March 23, 2023, the Ontario government tabled its 2023 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario. Of significance to employers, the Budget announced that the paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (Paid IDEL) will expire on March 31, 2023. By way of background, the Paid IDEL is a form of paid leave available under the Employment…
Ontario to Amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Other Legislation
On March 20, 2023, the Ontario government tabled Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023. If passed, Bill 79 would amend several statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act, 2009. In this FTR Now, we review proposed amendments of particular interest…
Update on Medical and Personal Leaves under the Canada Labour Code, Upcoming Deadlines under the Accessible Canada Act, and More
In this Federal Post, we discuss the practical challenges confronting federal employers when implementing the new medical and personal leaves under the Canada Labour Code. We also look at upcoming compliance deadlines under the Accessible Canada Act regulations and the federal Pay Equity Act.
Ontario Tables Bill to Create Integrated Community Health Services Centres, and More
On February 21, 2023, the Ontario government tabled Bill 60, Your Health Act, 2023 for First Reading. The government states that the objective of the Bill is to reduce wait times for surgeries, procedures and diagnostic imaging ‘while enabling its new “As of Right” rules to automatically recognize the credentials of health care workers registered in other provinces and territories.’ If passed, Bill 60 would enact the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Act, 2023 (Proposed Act) which would create integrated community health services centres, among other things.