Have you ever been in a shop playing edgy modern music and been offended by the lyrics? One woman recently took her complaint to the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal only to be told she had no case. In Redmond … Continue Reading
Minimum wage creep
As students return to school this fall and legislators return from a summer of community barbeques, small business owners have to face increased labour costs. Statutory minimum wage increases are set to occur on October 1, 2018 in Alberta, Saskatchewan … Continue Reading
With common sense approach Ontario Court of Appeal upholds enforceability of termination pay clause in employment contract
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld the termination pay clause of an employment contract in Amberber v. IBM Canada Ltd. 2018 ONCA 571 by using a refreshing and common sense approach in overturning the trial judge’s findings.
The … Continue Reading
What is a sealed bid?
In bidding and tendering situations, or in competitive request for proposal (RFP) scenarios, owners frequently instruct bidders that bids or tenders are required to be submitted to the Owner “under seal”, or that “sealed tenders are required”. Unfortunately, confusion often … Continue Reading
Bill C-46 provides guidance for the assessment of marijuana impairment in the workplace
The legalization of recreational (i.e., non-medical) marijuana in Canada finally has some clarity—and a date. Effective October 17, 2018, the possession and use of recreational marijuana will be legal across Canada.
To prepare for the legalization of recreational marijuana, Canadian … Continue Reading
Decision by Alberta Employment Standards Umpire provides clarity on post-employment bonus obligations
In an Employment Standards appeal decision issued June 13, 2018[i], Provincial Court of Alberta Judge D. Higa, acting in his role as an Employment Standards Umpire, confirmed that where a bonus is not purely formulaic, and includes any … Continue Reading
Termination of health, dental and life insurance benefits at age 65 found unlawful in Ontario
On May 18, 2018, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (the “Tribunal”) released an interim decision in Talos v. Grand Erie District School Board, 2018 HRTO 680, finding that the termination of an employee’s health, dental and life … Continue Reading
Ontario provincial election: are employees entitled to paid time off to vote?
The Ontario provincial election will take place on Thursday, June 7, 2018. Aside from the election results themselves, the most pressing question triggered by this event for many employers is: are my employees entitled to paid time off to vote?… Continue Reading
What do upcoming changes to Alberta’s occupational health and safety laws mean for employers?
Bill 30, which passed Third Reading on December 12, 2017, brings significant changes to Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “OHSA”). Many of the amendments to the OHSA under Bill 30 are effective June 1, 2018. Key among these … Continue Reading
Supreme Court of Canada affirms that sections of Quebec Pay Equity Act are unconstitutional
On May 10, 2018, the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed judgments of the Superior Court of Quebec and the Court of Appeal of Quebec declaring Sections 76.3, 76.5 and 103.1 para. 2 of the Quebec Pay Equity Act (the “PEA”) … Continue Reading
