On March 11, 2022, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 213/22 which amends O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020. O. Reg. 213/22 gives effect to the further reduction of public health restrictions in force…
Tag: COVID-19
Ontario to Ease Capacity Limits and Lift Proof of Vaccination Requirements
With the key public health indicators improving and the Omicron variant beginning to retreat, the Ontario government has announced that public health measures imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 will be eased, effective February 17 and March 1, 2022. The province has announced that it intends to lift proof of vaccination requirements and all…
Ontario to Ease Public Health Measures on January 31, 2022
On January 20, 2022, the Ontario government announced a gradual easing of public health measures, beginning on January 31, 2022. Effective on that date, the new measures will include: social gathering limits increased to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. capacity limits increased to (or maintained at) 50% in indoor public settings, including restaurants,…
Canadian Lawyer : Employment Law Update: What Employers Need to Know in 2022
Moderated by Siobhan O’Brien, a panel of top legal experts will discuss some of the major employment law issues and challenges employers will face in 2022 and how they can best prepare their businesses to minimize liabilities while ensuring they continue to meet their obligations to employees.
Ontario Moves to Modified Step 2 due to Surge in COVID-19 Cases
On January 3, 2022, the Ontario government announced that in light of the surge in COVID-19 cases, the province will be moving to modified Rules for Areas in Stage 2 of its Roadmap to Reopen plan. These changes will come into effect on January 5, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in effect until…
Ontario Announces Further Capacity Limit Reductions in Light of Omicron
On December 17, 2021, the Ontario government announced it is taking further public heath measures in light of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant. The new measures significantly expand upon the December 15 announcement reducing capacity limits to 50% in certain settings with a usual capacity of 1000 or more. Effective December 19, 2021, the following…
Arbitrator Upholds Mandatory Vaccination Policy
On November 9, 2021, Arbitrator Von Veh upheld the mandatory vaccination policy (Policy) implemented by a security company, finding the company acted reasonably in implementing the Policy and that it did not breach the collective agreement. The award provides some helpful guidance for employers that have implemented similar policies. In United Food And Commercial Workers…
Ontario Court Denies Injunctive Relief Pending Action Challenging Employer’s Vaccination Policy
On October 29, 2021, Justice Dunphy of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declined to extend emergency injunctive relief to a group of University Health Network (UHN) employees, seeking reprieve from UHN’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (Policy) which required employees to either become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 22, 2021, or be terminated from…
Updated Guidance on ROE Codes to be Used for Non-Compliance with Workplace Vaccination Policies
On October 15, 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated its website page EI information for employers – COVID-19 with respect to Block 16 – Reasons for issuing this ROE (record of employment). Block 16 is used to indicate the reason for the employee’s leave or separation from employment, or why the ROE is…
Ontario Eases Capacity Limits in Select Settings
On October 8, 2021, the Ontario government announced that would be “cautiously” lifting capacity limits in select settings where proof of full vaccination is required, effective October 9, 2021. O. Reg. 698/21, amending O. Reg. 364/20, the Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step, gives effect to these changes. For…