The Canada Emergency Response Benefit and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: How these Relief Measures Interact with Other Benefits
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of non-essential workplaces in provinces across the country, the Canadian government has introduced a number of emergency relief measures aimed at providing support to employees and employers affected by the pandemic.
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 […]
Ontario has Ordered Non-essential Businesses to Close for Two Weeks Starting March 25 Due to COVID-19
On March 23, 2020, Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario is ordering all non-essential businesses to shut down for at least fourteen (14) days,
WSIB Employer Premiums to Drop by 30% in 2019
Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Laurie Scott, announced Wednesday that the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (the “WSIB”) will be dropping employer premiums by 30% starting January 2019. The reductions result from the elimination of the WSIB’s unfunded liability, which reached a high of $14.2 billion in 2011 before being paid down. The WSIB’s unfunded liability […]
Minimum Wage Raise Cancellation
In a September 14 op-ed in the Financial Post, Ontario’s new Minister of Labour, Laurie Scott, reaffirmed that the Progressive Conservative government would not be implementing the planned increase of Ontario’s minimum wage
The Cannabis Act Passes Final Hurdle and Legalization Date Announced
On June 18, 2018 the Senate passed a finalized version of Federal Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act (the “Act”). The Act will become law upon receiving royal assent, which is expected to occur this week. In a press conference on June 20, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Act will come into force […]
Bill 3, the Pay Transparency Act, 2018 Passes into Law
Bill 3, the Pay Transparency Act, 2018 (the “Act”), has completed the Ontario legislative process and will receive Royal Assent and become law imminently.