Latest news in Legal issues

Workplace safety leading HR issue as marijuana legalization approaches: HRPA

Workplace safety leading HR issue as marijuana legalization approaches: HRPA

The majority (71 per cent) of Canadian employers are unprepared for how the legalization of recreational marijuana will affect the workplace, according to a new survey by…

  • By: Staff
  • January 29, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 10:42
CLHIA warns of unintended consequences in Health Canada’s proposed pot rules

CLHIA warns of unintended consequences in Health Canada’s proposed pot rules

While the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association acknowledges that Health Canada’s proposed approach to the regulation of marijuana aims to improve patient access, it’s expressing concern…

  • By: Staff
  • January 24, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
New Brunswick considering domestic violence leave

New Brunswick considering domestic violence leave

New Brunswick is planning to join other provinces in offering job-protected leave for victims of domestic violence. “It is essential that New Brunswick’s employment standards…

  • By: Staff
  • January 23, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 10:20
CLHIA launches cross-Canada sessions about compensation disclosure guideline

CLHIA launches cross-Canada sessions about compensation disclosure guideline

The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association will be holding information sessions in the coming weeks about its new guideline for disclosing compensation to intermediaries…

  • By: Staff
  • January 16, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 10:22
Hotline set up to expose companies cutting benefits following minimum wage hike

Hotline set up to expose companies cutting benefits following minimum wage hike

An Ottawa labour council has set up a hotline to allow employees to report on companies that are cutting paid breaks and other benefits following Ontario’s minimum wage…

  • By: Ryan Murphy
  • January 8, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 11:25
Have your say: Are new labour law changes a concern for employers?

Have your say: Are new labour law changes a concern for employers?

New labour law changes, particularly enhanced leave provisions in Ontario, are likely to increase costs and administrative challenges for employers, according to one expert. Amendments in…

  • By: Ryan Murphy
  • January 3, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
Sounding Board: How will the WSIB’s mental-stress changes affect employers?

Sounding Board: How will the WSIB’s mental-stress changes affect employers?

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is expanding its work-related mental-stress policy following decisions at the appeals tribunal that found the limits currently placed on entitlement criteria are unconstitutional.…

Return-to-work plans, coverage for mental-health injuries among proposals in new Alberta bill

Return-to-work plans, coverage for mental-health injuries among proposals in new Alberta bill

A new bill tabled in the Alberta legislature on Monday includes a number of proposals that would affect employers. If passed, Alberta employers will have to continue…

  • By: Staff
  • November 29, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
Arbitrator upholds employer’s move to cut down on pharmacy visits

Arbitrator upholds employer’s move to cut down on pharmacy visits

A recent arbitration decision underlines the pivotal role that collective bargaining agreement language plays in the extent to which employers and their insurers can make…

B.C. ruling adds further clarity to long-term disability saga

B.C. ruling adds further clarity to long-term disability saga

Does disability interfere with an organization’s right to terminate employment and employer-provided benefits? It’s a question that commonly arises when it comes to employees who…

TTC condoned benefits fraud, union argues in fighting staff terminations

TTC condoned benefits fraud, union argues in fighting staff terminations

The Toronto Transit Commission condoned the benefits fraud involving millions of dollars for orthopedic claims, the union representing workers is arguing in a number of…

  • By: Glenn Kauth
  • November 14, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 15:30
Inclusion of medical marijuana in government’s tax plan for cannabis criticized

Inclusion of medical marijuana in government’s tax plan for cannabis criticized

The new tax framework for cannabis products will include medical marijuana, according to the proposed excise duty framework published by the federal government on Friday. Advocates…

  • By: Staff
  • November 13, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 10:52
Court dismisses age discrimination appeal in long-term disability case

Court dismisses age discrimination appeal in long-term disability case

A recent Court of Appeal of Alberta dismissal of a case relating to age discrimination and the eligibility of receiving long-term disability benefits provides some…

Earlier maternity leave benefits, other EI changes coming this fall

Earlier maternity leave benefits, other EI changes coming this fall

Changes are coming for employment insurance and leave allocations for some Canadian employees later this fall. The leave changes, which received royal assent in June, affect the…

  • By: Staff
  • October 19, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 15:00
Four tips to help employers curb benefits fraud

Four tips to help employers curb benefits fraud

Group benefits are an invaluable tool most companies harness to attract and retain the best talent. For employees, they characterize a noble intent of care,…

Employers, benefits plans intervene in appeal over medical marijuana coverage

Employers, benefits plans intervene in appeal over medical marijuana coverage

A number of employers and benefits plans were in court this week in support of the Canadian Elevator Industry Welfare Trust Fund’s appeal of a…

Firefighter sentenced to six months in jail for benefits fraud

Firefighter sentenced to six months in jail for benefits fraud

An Ontario judge has sentenced a Toronto firefighter to six months in jail for benefits fraud. Bradley Evaschuk, 48, joined the Toronto fire service in…

  • By: Staff
  • September 8, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:54
Editorial: Navigating the marijuana minefield

Editorial: Navigating the marijuana minefield

The headlines this summer emphasized the negative: Almost half of employers aren’t ready for the legalization of recreational marijuana when it takes effect next year.…

  • By: Glenn Kauth
  • September 5, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
The impact of Ontario’s public drug program changes on private plans

The impact of Ontario’s public drug program changes on private plans

It has been a busy period for changes to public drug programs in Ontario, as the provincial government has been working on policies with the…

  • By: Karen Welds
  • September 5, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:52
Have your say: Will high pot prices, regulations push users onto benefits plans?

Have your say: Will high pot prices, regulations push users onto benefits plans?

As the federal government’s plan to legalize recreational marijuana next year moves ahead, there are still many challenges, including how pricing and taxation of the drug…

  • By: Staff
  • August 9, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
Many U.S. employers requiring same-sex couples to marry to receive benefits

Many U.S. employers requiring same-sex couples to marry to receive benefits

Employers in the United States are increasingly requiring employees with same-sex partners to legally marry in order for their partner to receive health-care benefits, according…

  • By: Staff
  • August 8, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:30
B.C. township gets another chance to argue for terminating workers on LTD

B.C. township gets another chance to argue for terminating workers on LTD

A B.C. municipality will get another chance to make its case for terminating three employees on long-term disability with no hope of coming back to…

  • By: Staff
  • July 24, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 16:05
Arbitrator highlights role of disability management process in ruling in worker’s favour

Arbitrator highlights role of disability management process in ruling in worker’s favour

In a reminder to employers to be diligent about using their own disability management processes before terminating an employee, an Alberta arbitrator has ruled against a company…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • July 24, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:53
Supreme Court won’t hear ex-Nortel employee’s appeal over disability benefits

Supreme Court won’t hear ex-Nortel employee’s appeal over disability benefits

The Supreme Court of Canada won’t hear an appeal from a former Nortel Networks Corp. employee who claimed her charter rights were violated over the…

  • By: Staff
  • July 21, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 13:31
Toronto benefits fraud probe takes a turn as new charges laid over city claims

Toronto benefits fraud probe takes a turn as new charges laid over city claims

The investigation into benefits fraud at the Toronto Transit Commission has taken yet another turn as police announce new charges involving claims submitted to the…

  • By: Staff
  • July 21, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:24