Several European pension plans are backing a lawsuit against Shell Corp. alleging its board is mismanaging climate risk and breaching company law. The lawsuit, launched by U.K.-based climate advocacy organization ClimateEarth, alleges Shell’s board of directors is failing to manage the material and foreseeable risks posed to the company by climate change. It also accuses […]
A recent Ontario Divisional Court ruling serves as a caution that employers’ prior conduct may prohibit them from amending pension plans even when the collective agreement clearly allows them to do so. “The takeaway from the decision is that employers’ discretion to amend plans will always be subject to labour law principles in cases that […]
Canada’s employment insurance system requires modernization to weather negative economic shocks, according to a new report by the C.D. Howe Institute. The report, which analyzed unemployment rates across Canada over 13 years, found 85 per cent of the variation in rates reflects provincial differences, including layoffs occurring in regions characterized by persistent high unemployment rates […]
An article on Canada’s ranking in retiree well-being was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Canada drops to No. 15 in retiree well-being global rankings: report 2. Court rules employers must include electronic tips under pensionable earnings 3. Expert panel: How employers can support […]
A gig worker by any other name would be a lot more expensive. In most jurisdictions, Uber Technology Inc. drivers and their app-based brethren are classified as independent contractors and not employees. As contractors in Canada, they’re not entitled to minimum wage, employer Canada Pension Plan and employment insurance contributions or to participate in tax-advantaged […]
The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that a Halifax restaurant must include a portion of the electronic gratuities intended for wait staff as “pensionable salary and wages” when calculating its liabilities under the Canada Pension Plan. This was despite the fact the restaurant had no obligation to include gratuities paid in cash directly to […]
When it comes to paid time-off policies for religious holidays outside of Christmas and Easter, can provincial governments do more to ensure all employees receive two paid days off to observe their chosen faith? While Andrew Zabrovsky, an employment lawyer with Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP, says the government could make changes to the […]
The announcement Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards’ finalists was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Which employers are finalists in the 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards? 2. Class action suit against Indian solar business backed by Caisse, OMERS seeking lead plaintiff 3. OMERS appointing […]
Former employees of the City of Windsor, Ont. are pursuing legal action after being fired for violating the City’s coronavirus vaccination policy. While the lawsuit currently has 20 plaintiffs, more employees will be added, says Courtney Betty, the plaintiffs’ lawyer. The plaintiffs cover a wide range of occupations including firefighters, city employees and frontline workers. “[Through […]
An article on HSBC Bank Canada’s new benefits offerings was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. HSBC adding coverage for fertility treatments, surrogacy, gender affirmation 2. Employee placed on unpaid leave over mask refusal not entitled to reasonable notice: Alberta court 3. LifeWorks acquiring […]