Our Labour & Employment Group hosted a conference designed to help employers navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of labour and employment law in Canada, and come away with a better understanding of the legal trends shaping workplaces in 2025, from legislative developments to HR compliance challenges and how your organization can stay ahead.
On the Agenda:
Keynote – “The Future of Work(places): Navigating Disruption, Risk, and Opportunity in 2025”
The emergence of AI, geopolitical turbulence, evolving worker expectations and cultural transformation means that the legal and regulatory landscape is shifting faster than ever, and employers are being forced to adapt on every front. This keynote explored the macro trends shaping the future of Canadian workplaces, highlighted the biggest compliance risks and competitive opportunities and set the tone for the legal discussions ahead. Anchored in real-world insights, this session offered strategic guidance on how to future-proof your workplace in 2025 and beyond.
Navigating New Frontiers
From productivity tools and employee monitoring to workplace investigations, this session explored how evolving technologies are reshaping the employment landscape. Speakers provided legal insights on risk management, policy development, and the ethical considerations employers should be aware of.
Social Media: Off the Clock – Where Policy Meets Privacy
Can employers regulate employee behavior on social media outside work hours? This session unpacked legal trends and recent case law around off-duty conduct, digital speech, and reputational risk.
Provincial Legislative Trends: Key Changes Impacting Employers
This session covered major changes and trends in employment and labour legislation in Québec, Ontario, and British Columbia.
Immigration Law Updates: 2025 Outlook
Immigration updates that impact workforce planning.
Terminations in 2025 – The Latest on Termination Clauses, the “How, When and Why” of Just Cause, and How to Actually Enforce Restrictive Covenants Against Former Employees
This panel examined the evolving legal standards and best practices for drafting enforceable and effective termination clauses, the latest cases on just cause terminations, and tips for drafting and enforcing restrictive covenants against former employees.
Unionization in a Post-Covid Era: The Evolving Landscape and Best Practices
Unionization is gaining traction in new industries, particularly post-COVID. This session provided lessons on how unions are adapting to political shifts, such as the rollback of DEI programs and how employers can proactively manage union activity.
Harassment, Discrimination & Wrongful Dismissal – A Case Study Approach
Using a real-world case study, this session explored the intersection of sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination and wrongful dismissal, providing practical insights on how to investigate and mitigate risk in a complex legal landscape.
Disability, Attendance, and Long-Term Leave – Managing Absences in a Human Rights Framework
Managing long-term disability, absenteeism, and accommodation obligations remains a top concern for employers. This session covered the intersection of attendance policies and human rights law.
Supporting an Aging Workforce – Evolving Benefits and Employer Obligations
As the workforce continues to age, employers are facing new challenges and opportunities when it comes to supporting employee well-being and retention. This session examined the legal and strategic considerations around benefits for older workers, including accommodation obligations, retirement planning, and evolving expectations around flexibility and coverage. Panelists provided insights into how your organization can adapt its benefits strategy to meet the needs of a multigenerational workforce while managing risk and remaining competitive.
Understanding Ontario’s New Long-Term Illness Leave: What Employers Need to Know
As part of the Working for Workers, Act 6 Legislation, Ontario’s new Long-Term Illness Leave came into effect on June 19, 2025. This amendment to the Employment Standards Act imposes new obligations on employers across the province. This session provided an overview of the new leave entitlement, explained the key changes to job protection provisions, and outlined what employers must do to remain compliant. The session also explored how organizations can reduce legal risk by implementing formal accommodation procedures and strengthening attendance management practices.