On May 3, 2021, we published an FTR Now providing an overview of the new paid infectious disease emergency leave (Paid IDEL) created by Bill 284, the COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act, 2021. In our publication, we addressed the interaction between the new Paid IDEL and contractual paid leave, and how the contractual entitlement would…
Tag: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Ontario Enacts Legislation to Provide Paid Leave for Reasons Related to COVID-19
On April 29, 2021, the Ontario government tabled and passed Bill 284, COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act, 2021 (Bill). The Bill amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) to provide eligible employees with up to three days of paid emergency leave in circumstances of absences relating to a designated infectious disease (Paid IDEL). As readers…
AdvantAge Ontario – Advancing Senior Care: One-Site Order and Paid Sick Leave
On May 4, Andrew Zabrovsky will present on the topic “One-Site Order and Paid Sick Leave” at the Special Webinar: Legal Expert Andrew Zabrovsky on One-Site Order and Paid Sick Leave hosted by AvantAge Ontario – Advancing Senior Care. To learn more and to register, visit the AvantAge Ontario – Advancing Senior Care website.
Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission Submits Final Report
On April 30, 2021, Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission submitted its Final Report to the Minister of Long-Term Care. The Commission was created by the Ontario government in July 2020 in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the long-term care sector. Specifically, the Commission was asked “to investigate the cause of the…
Ontario Announces Paid Sick Leave for Reasons Related to COVID-19
On April 28, 2021, the Ontario government announced that it will be introducing legislation to provide up to three sick paid leave days to eligible employees if they are taken for reasons related to COVID-19. The program would be retroactive to April 19, 2021 and remain in effect until September 25, 2021, the date the…
Ontario Amends Rules Relating to Staffing in Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes in Light of Surge in COVID-19 Cases
On April 23, 2021, the Ontario government filed a number of regulations with respect to long-term care and retirement homes in light of the pandemic and the ongoing strain it has placed on healthcare staffing. In this HR Healthcheck we outline the key aspects of these regulations. Work Redeployment For Local Health Integration Networks And…
New COVID-19 Restrictions on Masks/Face Coverings in the Workplace; Exceptions To Border Closure Restrictions Related to Students
On April 23, 2021, the Ontario government filed a number of regulations with respect to the Rules for Areas in Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3. The General Rules for each Zone have been amended to require that persons responsible for a business or organization shall ensure that every person who works for those…
Key Highlights of Federal Budget 2021
On April 19, 2021, the federal government tabled its 2021 Budget “A Recovery Plan For Jobs, Growth, And Resilience” (Budget). The Budget sets out a broad range of proposals stemming from the pandemic, such as an extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and an increase to the length of Employment Insurance (EI) sickness…
Ontario Makes Two Emergency Orders to Assist Hospitals in Responding to Increasing COVID-19 Cases
On April 21, 2021, the Ontario government made two emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) which will have an immediate impact on hospitals and the ongoing staffing challenges they face in dealing with COVID-19 cases. The first Order will permit staff in independent health facilities to be redeployed to hospitals….
Adverse Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccines: Employers’ WSIB Reporting Obligations and Claim Costs
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) recently clarified its position with respect to the coverage of claims for COVID-19 vaccine reactions. Specifically, the WSIB FAQ section was updated with respect to employers’ reporting obligations regarding adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines as well as the impact of costs associated with COVID-19 vaccination claims. The recent…