Latest news in Legal issues

Little legal clarity for employers dealing with pandemic-related layoffs

A trio of conflicting decisions from Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice has left employers confused about a possible onslaught of wrongful dismissal lawsuits stemming from…

B.C. hospitality workers’ layoffs affecting critical benefits during pandemic

A labour dispute between hospitality workers and two Vancouver hotels is affecting the employees’ health benefits and pension plan. More than 50 hospitality workers at…

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Employers should weigh human rights, health risks when drafting pandemic policies

Employers are facing a growing number of legal considerations as they continually adapt policies amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent webinar hosted…

Feds supporting B.C. workplace violence, harassment prevention training program

The federal government, the B.C. Maritime Employers Association and its partners, the Warehouse Union Canada, and the Ending Violence Association of B.C., are launching a comprehensive…

  • By: Staff
  • February 11, 2021 April 23, 2021
  • 09:00
B.C. making it easier for employees to make coronavirus compensation claims

B.C. making it easier for employees to make coronavirus compensation claims

A recent change to British Columbia employment law is making it easier for workers to claim compensation related to a coronavirus infection. Last August, B.C.…

  • By: Staff
  • February 10, 2021 March 26, 2021
  • 09:00
Federal employers shouldn’t change employment entitlements during notice period: court

Federal employers shouldn’t change employment entitlements during notice period: court

A recent decision from the Ontario Superior Court suggests that federally-regulated employers will be held to the same strict rules as their provincial counterparts in…

Sounding Board: Employers playing a key role in vaccination efforts

Sounding Board: Employers playing a key role in vaccination efforts

The issue of employers imposing vaccines in a global pandemic context is unprecedented. Employers will be faced with the difficult challenge of ensuring a safe…

Family status discrimination issues remain ‘minefield’ for employers

Confusion as to what constitutes family status discrimination in Canada continues to vex employers. “The Supreme Court of Canada had an opportunity to create a…

Calls for Ontario to reinstate paid sick leave intensify amid lockdown

Calls for Ontario to reinstate paid sick leave intensify amid lockdown

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is continuing to feel heat from opposition politicians calling for the provincial government to reinstate paid sick days on the heels…

Feds changing sick-leave benefit amid non-essential travel uproar

Feds changing sick leave benefit amid non-essential travel uproar

The Canada Revenue Agency is tweaking the requirements for three federal benefits following an uproar over the possibility of Canadians applying for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit after ignoring…

Employers requiring coronavirus vaccinations must consider human rights, privacy

With coronavirus vaccines rolling out across Canada, employers must consider the privacy and human rights implications of requiring vaccinations for their teams, says Shaun Parker,…

Health Canada delaying drug pricing reforms until July

Health Canada delaying drug pricing reforms until July

Health Canada says it’s delaying the implementation of long-awaited changes to Canada’s drug-pricing regime by another six months. A spokesman for the department, says the amendments…

New federal employment equity, safety legislation taking effect

New federal employment equity, safety legislation taking effect

A series of legislative changes to Canada’s labour code aiming to make workplaces healthier, safer and fairer took effect as of Jan. 1, 2021. The…

  • By: Staff
  • January 5, 2021 April 14, 2021
  • 09:00
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Osler appointing Andrea Boctor to pensions, benefits group

Osler Hoskin and Harcourt LLP is appointing Andrea Boctor as a partner in its pensions and benefits group. Boctor’s practice encompasses all areas of pensions…

  • December 10, 2020 January 18, 2021
  • 18:47

Feds revising legislation on conversion of health and welfare trusts

The federal government has published revised draft legislation for the Income Tax Act that would facilitate the conversion of existing health and welfare trusts into…

  • By: Staff
  • December 2, 2020 April 28, 2021
  • 08:50
Economic statement includes new rules for employee stock options

Economic statement includes new rules for employee stock options

In Monday’s fall economic statement, the federal government proposed changes to employee stock option rules and offered additional support for essential workers. The statement provided an…

  • By: Staff
  • December 1, 2020 April 28, 2021
  • 10:30
Federal government publishes employment equity regulations

Federal government publishes employment equity regulations

The federal government is introducing new pay transparency regulations for federally regulated, private sector employers with 100 or more employees. The legislative amendment to the Equity…

  • By: Staff
  • November 27, 2020 November 27, 2020
  • 15:15
Head to head: Should employers be responsible for personal protective equipment?

Head to head: Should employers be responsible for personal protective equipment?

While occupational health and safety legislation is clear, the definition of PPE has evolved since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Mark Hancock, National president of…

B.C.’s NDP developing benefits, pension supports for gig workers

B.C.’s NDP developing benefits, pension supports for gig workers

On the heels of winning re-election in British Columbia, the New Democratic Party’s work is just beginning, particularly in delivering on its promise to extend…

Supreme Court decision aggravates termination clause problems for employers

Supreme Court decision aggravates termination clause problems for employers

A recent decision from the Supreme Court of Canada suggests the test for employers seeking to limit recovery for unlawful termination damages related to long-term…

Stikeman Elliott appoints Mark Firman to tax, pensions and benefits groups

Stikeman Elliott appoints Mark Firman to tax, pensions and benefits groups

Stikeman Elliott LLP is appointing Mark Firman as counsel in its tax and pensions and benefits groups in Montreal. In his career, Firman has advised…

  • By: Staff
  • October 28, 2020 January 19, 2021
  • 15:00
Osler appointing Andrea Boctor to pensions, benefits group

Osler appointing Andrea Boctor to pensions, benefits group

Osler Hoskin and Harcourt LLP is appointing Andrea Boctor as a partner in its pensions and benefits group. Boctor’s practice encompasses all areas of pensions…

  • By: Staff
  • September 21, 2020 November 30, 2020
  • 15:15

Uber case about arbitration clause, not classification of employees

In June, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Uber Technologies Inc. v Heller, dismissing an appeal of a decision by the Ontario…

  • By: Rayaz Khan
  • September 8, 2020 November 30, 2020
  • 08:45
New Uber contract could have chilling effect on class action, says lawyer

New Uber contract could have chilling effect on class action, says lawyer

Uber Technologies Inc. is trying to keep its Canadian drivers from joining or starting class-action lawsuits against the company — a move that threatens to…

Liberals to replace CERB with new benefit, simplified EI program at cost of $37B

Liberals to replace CERB with new benefit, simplified EI program at cost of $37B

The federal Liberals are rolling out a $37-billion income support plan for workers whose earnings have crashed during the pandemic. The details released Thursday outline…