In light of the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis, it is critical that employers review all current policies to determine whether revisions are required. In this video, Jacqueline Luksha reviews key features of a Drug and Alcohol policy related to cannabis in the workplace. She also discusses the importance of training regarding cannabis use, and touches on policies dealing with accommodation requests.
Tag: Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
Cannabis Act In Force October 17, 2018: Preparing Your Workplace
On June 19, 2018, the Senate passed Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act (Federal Act), which legalizes the consumption of recreational cannabis across Canada. The federal government has announced October 17, 2018 as the date it comes into force. Learn more about the new legislation and next steps for employers in this FTR Now.
Workplace Law in Canada: A Primer
This Guide provides American employers with an introduction to employment laws and regulations that affect businesses in Canada. It outlines an overview of the main differences between Canadian and U.S. workplace laws.
Recent Legislative Initiatives of Interest to School Boards
Recent legislative changes in Ontario will have a significant impact on school boards. First, school boards will now be required to adopt a code of conduct that applies to trustees. Second, as of January 1, 2018, entitlement to benefits for chronic mental stress is compensable under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997…
Ontario Announces Health, Safety and Employment Standards Blitzes
The Ontario government has announced that it will be conducting more than 24 health, safety and employment standards inspection blitzes in 2018-2019 targeted at certain sectors in Ontario, with a view to ensuring statutory compliance. A number of workplaces will be visited, including those in the retail, manufacturing, construction and health care sectors, as well…
Canadian Employment Safety and Health Guide Publishes an Article by Allison MacIsaac on the Scope of Occupational Health and Safety Obligations
Hicks Morley’s Allison MacIsaac authored an article in Canadian Employment Safety and Health Guide titled “Appellate Court Considers Scope of an Employer’s OHSA Obligations to Protect Workers.” The article discusses the Ontario (Labour) v. Quinton Steel (Wellington) Limited case where an appellate court recently overturned a decision acquitting a company which had been charged following a workplace fatality, where they found that employer should have done more to protect its workers than what is prescribed under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Appellate Court Upholds Criminal Conviction of Project Manager for Deaths/Injury Resulting from Swing Stage Collapse
In R. v. Kazenelson, the Ontario Court of Appeal recently upheld the conviction and the sentence imposed on a project manager who had been found guilty under the Criminal Code for criminal negligence causing death and criminal negligence causing bodily harm, arising from the collapse of a swing stage in 2009. The appellant project manager…
Appellate Court Considers Scope of an Employer’s OHSA Obligations to Protect Workers
An appellate court recently overturned a decision acquitting a company which had been charged following a workplace fatality, holding that there may be circumstances where an employer is required to do more to protect its workers than what is prescribed under the regulations to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). In Ontario (Labour) v….
Bill 177 Receives Royal Assent, Amends WSIA, OHSA, PBA and BPSECA
On December 14, 2017, Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017, received Royal Assent. Bill 177 is omnibus legislation which amends several statutes, including the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Pension Benefits Act and the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act. Workplace Safety and Insurance…
Bill 177 Introduces Transitional Provisions for WSIB Mental Stress, Increased Fines under OHSA
On November 14, 2017, the Ontario government introduced Bill177, the Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017, omnibus legislation which, if passed, would amend several employment-related statutes. In this FTR Now, we discuss the proposed changes to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.