On March 22, the 2017 federal budget, Building a Strong Middle Class Through Innovation, was released. Among its myriad proposals, several anticipated changes related to families and leaves will affect employers, including...more
Highlighting the importance of using precise language in termination provisions of employment contracts, the Ontario Court of Appeal in Wood v Fred Deeley Imports Ltd., 2017 ONCA 158 [Wood] recently held that a termination...more
In positive news for employers, in Styles v Alberta Investment Management Corporation, 2017 ABCA 1 [Styles], the Alberta Court of Appeal (ABCA) affirmed that an employee who does not meet a clear and well drafted condition of...more
In an important decision (Wilson v Atomic Energy of Canada Limited) for federally regulated employers, the Supreme Court of Canada held that the “unjust dismissal” provisions in the Canada Labour Code mean non-union employees...more
The Ontario Ministry of Labour recently released version 6.0 of the Employment Standards Poster, which outlines employees’ minimum rights and employers’ minimum obligations. With the release of this new poster, almost every...more
If an employer puts a non-unionized employee on an indefinite administrative suspension with full pay but without explaining why, can this amount to a constructive dismissal? Yes, according to the Supreme Court of Canada in...more
3/24/2015
On November 20, 2014, Bill 18, the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014, received royal assent. This amends five employment and labour-related statutes in Ontario in an effort to protect employees. The effect...more
In the latest installment in a series of recent employment class actions, the Court of Appeal for Ontario has dismissed an appeal by class action plaintiffs in Brown v Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The decision...more
The Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations that became effective on April 1, 2014, could substantially increase the number of Canadians who are using lawfully prescribed medical marijuana. As the number of prescribed...more
The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) recently confirmed that “family status” includes childcare obligations and provided clarity for employers on the test for whether the duty to accommodate has been met. While the decisions in...more
Beginning on July 1, 2014, employers in Ontario will have an added responsibility of ensuring that all workers and all supervisors in all workplaces that fall subject to the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)...more
On March 28, 2014, two popular Canadian-based magazines, The Walrus and Toronto Life, brought their unpaid internship programs abruptly to an end after Ontario’s Ministry of Labour concluded that such programs were being run...more
On January 30, 2014, the Ontario government announced there will be an increase in the general minimum wage rate from $10.25 to $11 per hour effective June 1, 2014. This 75-cent boost will reflect the rise in the Consumer...more
In 2008, the Human Rights Code was amended to allow, amongst other things, civil claims for breaches of the Code. Though we often see plaintiffs alleging discrimination in the context of a wrongful dismissal or constructive...more
Two Ontario Superior Court decisions once again highlight the importance of precise and explicit wording in employment contracts, particularly in respect of termination clauses. The court concluded in both decisions that the...more
In an update last October (Accommodating Family Status – Needs vs. Preferences) we advised you that the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal established a new test for an employer’s duty to accommodate on the basis of family status...more