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On October 6, 2021, Monte McNaughton, the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, announced a number of proposed changes that, if passed, will help employers across the province of Ontario cope with the economic hardship imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister McNaughton expressed that the intention of these changes is to save employers hundreds […]

On September 22, 2021, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “OHRC”) released a policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates. The OHRC’s statement provides welcome guidance for businesses looking to implement proof of vaccination requirements for workers and customers. Vaccine Requirements are “Generally Permissible” In its statement, the OHRC takes the […]

Although the COVID-19 crisis is having an enormous impact on businesses, commercial activity has not ended. As a result, lawyers continue to work on transactions for our clients, but most are doing so remotely. This new approach to legal work is not without barriers, however, particularly where legislation, regulations and court rules have historically required […]

In FCA Canada Inc. v Unifor, Locals 195, 444, 1285,[1] the union challenged the reasonableness of the employer’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate (the “Policy”). The main issue before the arbitrator was whether the Policy was reasonable in light of the changing nature of the pandemic. Ultimately, Arbitrator Nairn found the Policy unreasonable in light of COVID-19’s […]

The charity and not-for-profit sector has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as much as the rest of society. In some provinces, there has been a Declaration of Emergency, and people are prohibited from assembling together. Some charities, such as those which operate places of worship, have been explicitly singled out. Even without those governmental […]

In these times of rapid change and as the Ontario government starts lifting directives made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, you might have lots of questions about employment law in relation to your practice, your clients, and your staff. We have assembled a panel of leading employment lawyers to discuss the situations […]

Public hospitals, community care providers, family health teams, mental health agencies, regulated health professional services and more have had to reduce to essential services and, in many cases, close physical workplaces. Ontario has now announced its intention to move into the first phase of lifting restrictions which includes allowing certain health and medical services to […]

Resource companies that have issued flow-through shares shortly before or during the global COVID-19 pandemic may have faced difficulties, including the shutdown of mines, incurring eligible resource expenses within the normal timelines required under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act allows for the renunciation of certain eligible resource expenses (“Eligible […]

The situation around COVID-19 is changing rapidly.  Schools nationwide have suspended classes, organizations are requiring staff to work at home remotely and governments across the country have required the cancellation of certain events.  “Social distancing” has quickly become the new norm and found its way into our vocabulary.  In this time of uncertainty, we are […]

Today, the UK Supreme Court handed down its judgment in the COVID-19 business interruption insurance test case of The Financial Conduct Authority v Arch and Others. This judgment was the result of a “leap frog” appeal whereby the FCA and certain insurers appealed directly from the High Court. The Supreme Court judgment left the High Court decision […]