Major Changes to Federal Leaves Take Effect on December 12, 2025 

Significant amendments to leave provisions under the Canada Labour Code will soon take effect, expanding entitlements for federally regulated employees and introducing new compliance obligations for employers. George Vuicic outlines what federally regulated employers need to do now to remain compliant.

Managing Temporary Workplace Disruptions: Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Plans and the Employment Insurance Work-Sharing Program

While tariffs may be paused for now, economic uncertainty remains. What strategies can Canadian employers take to protect the future of their businesses? How can they ensure they retain skilled employees and manage employee concerns around job insecurity? Hicks Morley’s David Gruber explains in our latest #FTRNow.

Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits Increase to 26 Weeks

The amendments contained in Bill C-30, Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1, which permanently extend the maximum number of weeks available under employment insurance (EI) sickness benefits, have been proclaimed into force effective December 18, 2022. In this FTR Now we consider this development and its implications for employers. Extension from 15 to 26 Weeks…

Employment and Social Development Canada Extends Consultation on Modernizing Employment Insurance Program

In August 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) initiated a consultation survey on how to modernize the nation’s Employment Insurance (EI) program. The need for the consultation survey was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the gaps it highlighted in the EI program. On November 9, 2021, ESDC extended the closing date of the…

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…

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…