Federal government extends COVID-19 support measures
On July 30, 2021, the federal government proposed a variety of extensions to existing COVID-19 support programs for businesses and workers. The proposed changes are summarized below. For employers The government has proposed extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the […]
Ontario court finds temporary layoffs due to COVID-19 are not constructive dismissal at common law
In a recent decision, Taylor v. Hanley Hospitality Inc., 2021 ONSC 3135 (“Taylor”), Justice Ferguson of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice held that an employee who was temporarily laid off due to COVID-19 was not constructively dismissed at common […]
Reminder to Ontario employers: Upcoming AODA compliance reporting deadline
Ontario businesses and non-profits should note that the deadline to file an accessibility compliance report is June 30, 2021. All Ontario businesses and non-profit organizations with 20 or more employees are required to file a compliance report with the provincial […]
Ontario enacts COVID-19 paid sick leave legislation
On April 29, 2021, the COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act, 2021 (the “Act”) received Royal Assent in Ontario. The Act amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000 to require provincially-regulated employers in Ontario to provide employees with up to three days […]
Ontario government provides information about employer-operated COVID-19 vaccination clinics
As Ontario’s vaccine rollout progresses, some employers have expressed an interest in hosting on-site vaccination clinics for employees. On April 13, 2021, the Ontario government provided information about how employers in COVID-19 hot-spots can inquire about the possibility of hosting […]
Ontario Government provides guidance for workplace COVID-19 testing
On March 17, 2021, the provincial government published guidance for businesses and employees with respect to voluntary, supervised self-swabbing for COVID-19 via rapid antigen point-of-care tests. These tests can be performed at workplaces by trained individuals and do not require […]
Federally regulated employers, check your employment contracts: Court finds termination provision unenforceable
In a decision that will be of interest to federally regulated employers, the Ontario Superior Court recently reviewed the enforceability of a termination provision in an employment agreement governed by the Canada Labour Code (the “CLC”). Given the relative rarity […]
Federal Government implements increase to maximum subsidy rate under Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
In its Fall Economic Statement, the federal government committed to increasing the maximum CEWS wage subsidy rate to 75%. On December 18, 2020, the federal government announced (see news release) that it had concluded the necessary regulatory changes to implement […]
Limits on WSIB premiums for 2021
On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, the Ontario government introduced Bill 238, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2020. If passed, this legislation would prevent unexpected increases to employers’ WSIB premiums in 2021. The proposed legislation would amend the Workplace […]
Drivers Inc: Classification issues in transportation
Introduction Proper classification of drivers is an ongoing issue. The way drivers are classified can significantly impact the obligations and operations of a business, as independent contractors are excluded from most employment standards and labour relations legislation both federally and […]
