On Monday, January 4, 2021, the City of Toronto announced new measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces, as well as to increase employer and government accountability. These measures create additional safety and
Continue Reading The City of Toronto announces new measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces
In Fraser v. Canada (Attorney General), 2020 SCC 28, the Supreme Court of Canada found that a workplace policy of the RCMP amounted to unlawful discrimination because it indirectly institutionalized and perpetuated a
Continue Reading Supreme Court of Canada clarifies scope of adverse effect discrimination
In response to a steady increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Vancouver Coast Health and Fraser Health regions, British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer has imposed targeted orders that will affect both individuals
Continue Reading British Columbia imposes new COVID-19 restrictions for the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley*
On July 29, 2020, Bill 32: Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, 2020 (“Bill 32”) received royal assent. Bill 32 brings a number of amendments to both the Alberta Employment Standards Code (“ESC”)
Continue Reading Bill 32: Practical implications for Alberta employers
At the end of June, 2020, BC extended the maximum period for COVID-19-related temporary layoffs to 24 weeks in any 28 consecutive week period, ending before August 30, 2020 (see our summary here).
Some
Continue Reading B.C. employers: apply to extend COVID-19 layoffs past August 30, 2020
In Waksdale v. Swegon North America Inc., 2020 ONCA 391, the Ontario Court of Appeal held that a seemingly enforceable “Termination Without Cause” provision in an employment agreement was unenforceable because the employer conceded
Continue Reading Recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal invites employers to conduct a holistic review of the termination provisions in their employment agreements
On June 25, 2020, B.C. announced that it had extended the duration of temporary layoffs connected to the COVID-19 emergency under the Employment Standard Act to a maximum of 24 weeks, ending on or before
Continue Reading B.C. extends temporary layoffs related to COVID-19
On June 18, 2020, the Government of Alberta introduced Bill 24, the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 (“Bill 24”). The purpose of Bill 24 was to validate an earlier regulation, the Employment
Continue Reading Employment impact of Bill 24: Extension of temporary layoffs and validation of COVID-19 regulations
The minimum wage for employees in British Columbia has increased $.75 from $13.85 to $14.60 per hour effective June 1, 2020. Minimum wage applies regardless of how employees are paid – hourly, salary, commission or
Continue Reading Minimum wage increase effective June 1, 2020 in B.C.
British Columbia has mandated COVID-19 Safety Plans for businesses and employers in the province as part of its COVID-19 Restart Plan. Although Safety Plans do not need to be submitted to WorkSafeBC as a condition
Continue Reading BC Safety Plan update
