New ESA “Tips and Gratuities” Exemption for Prescribed Credit Card Charges

On May 6, 2016, the Ontario government prescribed a regulatory exemption for certain credit card payment processing fees in connection with pending reforms to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) enacted by Bill 12, Protecting Employees’ Tips Act, 2015. Ontario regulation 125/16 (Tips and Other Gratuities) provides that the definition of “tips and gratuities” in…

Full Payout to End of Fixed Term Contract in Case of Early Termination, No Duty to Mitigate

In Howard v. Benson Group Inc. (The Benson Group Inc.), the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that in the absence of an express provision specifying a pre-determined notice period or pay in lieu (for early termination without cause), on the early termination of a fixed term contract an employee is entitled to the wages the…

Countdown to ORPP: Ontario Tables New Implementation Legislation

Long-awaited Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) legislation was introduced on Thursday, April 14, 2016, which, if passed in its present form, will provide the statutory framework and timeline for full ORPP implementation by January 1, 2020…

Ontario Safety Blitzes To Target Workplaces and Sectors with Vulnerable Workers

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced that it will do over 20 targeted blitzes at Ontario workplaces from May 2, 2016 to March 31, 2017. The Ministry will investigate potential violations of employment standards and occupational health and safety laws at targeted workplaces which include food services, retail stores, construction sites, mines and, in…