Latest news in Legal issues

Western Forest Products to cut health benefits for striking staff

Western Forest Products to cut health benefits for striking staff

As the labour dispute between Western Forest Products Inc. and United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 heads into its third month, tensions are running high over health…

McDonald’s educating U.S. employees about harassment, bullying

McDonald’s educating U.S. employees about harassment, bullying

McDonald’s is introducing a new training program for its U.S. employees after dozens of workers complained about sexual harassment. The Chicago-based company said Wednesday that…

Pharma companies launching challenge to PMPRB changes

Pharma companies launching challenge to PMPRB changes

Five major pharmaceutical companies have filed a constitutional challenge to the federal government’s incoming changes to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. The complaint was…

Feds update appeals process for EI, CPP and OAS

Feds update appeals process for EI, CPP and OAS

The federal government is reforming the tribunal that handles appeals related to employment insurance, Canadian Pension Plan and old-age security payments. Currently, Canadians who disagree…

  • By: Staff
  • August 21, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:30
What will PMPRB drug pricing changes mean for plan sponsors?

What will PMPRB drug pricing changes mean for plan sponsors?

Private plan sponsors can expect to see lower drug prices resulting from recent changes to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, but there may also…

Court dismisses Air Canada pilots’ appeal of mandatory retirement at age 60

Court dismisses Air Canada pilots’ appeal of mandatory retirement at age 60

The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a legal challenge by former Air Canada pilots who claimed the company was wrong to force some to retire at age…

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How will Canada Labour Code changes affect employers?

On Sept. 1, federally regulated employers will see the impact of several changes to the Canada Labour Code, including the new right for employees to…

Liberal leadership hopeful proposing basic group benefits plan for all Ontario workers

Liberal leadership hopeful proposing basic group benefits plan for all Ontario workers

Ontario Liberal leadership contender Steven Del Duca is proposing the creation of a basic group benefits package for workers in the province who are currently without one.…

  • By: Staff
  • August 14, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:00
Jordan Fremont moving to Bennett Jones

Jordan Fremont moving to Bennett Jones

Jordan Fremont is relocating his pension, benefits and executive compensation practice to Bennett Jones LLP. For the past 15 years, he’s practiced at Hicks Morley Hamilton…

  • By: Staff
  • August 13, 2019 November 30, 2020
  • 15:00
Toronto Foodora couriers to vote on union certification

Toronto Foodora couriers to vote on union certification

The union hoping to represent Foodora Inc.’s Toronto couriers has filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board, alleging the company…

  • By: Staff
  • August 9, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:00
Ontario court rules employee allowed to revoke retirement notice

Ontario court rules employee allowed to revoke retirement notice

The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled an employee was in the right when she rescinded her retirement notice after circumstances changed. In September 2016, Elisabeth…

Alberta employers on hook longer for civil claims for privacy breaches

Alberta employers on hook longer for civil claims for privacy breaches

A new ruling by the Alberta Court of Appeal says civil claims for privacy breaches can be filed more than two years after the breach…

Could Quebec’s public drug plan work for national pharmacare?

Could Quebec’s public drug plan work for national pharmacare?

Quebec’s universal pharmacare program offers better drug coverage and quicker approval for new drugs coming to market than the rest of Canada, according to a…

‘Historic settlement’ for female armed forces, national defence staff in sexual harassment case

‘Historic settlement’ for female armed forces, national defence staff in sexual harassment case

The federal government has reached a tentative settlement on multiple class action lawsuits filed by current and former female and male members of the Canadian…

Employees suing Yale over fines for not participating in wellness program

Employees suing Yale over fines for not participating in wellness program

The American Association of Retired Persons Foundation and the law firm Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald and Pirrotti have filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of Yale…

Is sex addiction a disability employers must accommodate?

Is sex addiction a disability employers must accommodate?

A Nova Scotia arbitrator has ruled that sex addiction isn’t a disability that employers must accommodate, especially where the condition doesn’t affect the employee’s ability…

CUSMA’s data protection proposals for biologics could raise costs for private plans: PBO

CUSMA’s data protection proposals for biologics could raise costs for private plans: PBO

If the Canada-United States-Mexico trade agreement goes through it could have a significant impact on the cost of private drug plans. Currently on hold until…

Feds investing $2.7M in online tool for understanding workplace harassment laws

Feds investing $2.7M in online tool for understanding workplace harassment laws

The Canadian Women’s Foundation, AfterMeToo and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is receiving more than $2.7 million from the federal government to create an online…

Should employer-provided parking be considered a taxable benefit?

Should employer-provided parking be considered a taxable benefit?

The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that an airport parking pass provided to a flight attendant by a commercial airline is an employee benefit…

Is scrutiny on the rise for long-term disability claims?

Is scrutiny on the rise for long-term disability claims?

A recent RBC Insurance Services Inc. study found 45 percent of employees on disability claimed their workplaces pressured them to go back earlier than they…

Employers, insurers facing challenges as genetic testing grows in popularity

Employers, insurers facing challenges as genetic testing grows in popularity

Genetic testing is gradually growing in popularity as some employers adopt a more preventative benefits and wellness strategy. In its annual employee benefits report, the U.S.-based…

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B.C. government says expanding biosimilars will save nearly $100 million over three years

British Columbia is expanding its use of biosimilars, effective November 2019. The move is expected to create opportunities for new drug listings and increase current coverage for patients, according to…

WSIB appoints special advisors to review operations, best practices

WSIB appoints special advisors to review operations, best practices

The Ontario government is launching a review of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to ensure the province’s employees and their families remain supported and protected…

  • By: Staff
  • May 23, 2019 September 17, 2019
  • 15:00

Roll out of higher CPP costs expected to affect HR budgets for benefits, wages

It may not happen this year, or next year, or even the year after that. But sometime between now and 2025, Canadian employers will almost…

Foodora couriers attempting to unionize for better pay, benefits

Foodora couriers are leading an effort to join the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to negotiate with their employer for fairer pay and basic benefits. The Justice for Foodora…