Federal Election Day 2021
On Monday, September 20, 2021, Canadians will return to the polls to elect a federal government. Pursuant to the Canada Elections Act (the “Act”), every Canadian citizen who is 18 years of age or older is entitled to three consecutive hours away from work while polls are open on election day in order to cast […]
Saskatchewan and British Columbia Become First Canadian Jurisdictions to Offer Job-Protected Vaccination Leaves
Saskatchewan and British Columbia (“BC”) have become the first Canadian jurisdictions to enact legislation which provide employees with time off to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
The Federal Government Has Extended Recovery Benefits, Employment Insurance Regular Benefits, and the COVID-19 Leave Under the Canada Labour Code
On February 19, 2021, the federal government announced that it would introduce regulatory and legislative amendments to increase the number of weeks available for benefits
Arbitrator Upholds Dismissal for Cause of Employee for Flouting COVID-19 Policy
In Garda Security Screening Inc v IAM, District 140 (Shoker Grievance) [Shoker Grievance], an arbitrator considered whether an employee’s failure to follow an employer’s COVID-19-related workplace policies amounted to cause
This is the fifth bulletin in a weekly series that provides a recap of important COVID-19 developments and their impact on employers as they navigate these challenging times. This recap covers the week of April 20, 2020 and is current as of April 27, 2020.
The Government Has Announced a Huge Increase in the Federal Wage Subsidy for Small- & Medium-sized Businesses, Among Other Financial Supports for Employers
On March 27, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government is increasing the amount of wage subsidies available to businesses. In addition to the 10% wage subsidy announced last week for small businesses (the “Wage Subsidy”), the government has announced a separate 75% wage subsidy in an effort to help prevent layoffs […]
A New Federal Benefit for Workers Affected by COVID-19 has been Announced: The Canada Emergency Response Benefit
On March 25, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new federal benefit for workers who have lost their income as a result of COVID-19,
COVID-19 and the Workplace: ESA Amendments, Federal Benefits and Layoff Principles
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on how Canadian employers conduct business. Canada’s federal and provincial governments have been continuously announcing measures to lessen the impact of the pandemic on employers and employees.
Foodora Couriers are Dependent Contractors That are Entitled to Unionize: A Landmark Decision for the Canadian Gig Economy
Last week the Ontario Labour Relations Board (“OLRB” or the “Board”) rendered a historic decision for the Canadian gig economy by finding that Foodora’s food-delivery couriers in Toronto and Mississauga are dependent contractors that are entitled to unionize under the Ontario Labour Relations Act, 1995 (“LRA”). The gig economy generally involves temporary and flexible work […]
Best Practices for Employers to Minimize Holiday Party Related Liability
Office holiday parties are a great way for employers to show appreciation for their employees’ hard work throughout the year and to bring their teams closer together, but they also present risks that employers often don’t foresee. Most employers are aware that a common issue that can arise during holiday parties is intoxication, but there […]