Could the COVID-19 Pandemic Result in a Frustration of Contract?

Many businesses have been forced to shut down due to Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, which is an emergency declaration that has been extended until June 2, 2020.  These are uncertain times and the fact is that the pandemic may have significant, lasting and permanent impacts on business. In particular, the impact of […]

Employer Ordered to Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Employees

In the decision Ontario Nurses Association v. Eatonville/Henley Place, 2020 ONSC 2467 released on April 22, 2020, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice considered an urgent application by the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) seeking injunctive relief on behalf of nurses working at various long term care (LTC) homes. ONA claimed that these facilities were engaged […]

Right to sue for Constructive Dismissal caused by Harassment taken away by Workplace Safety and Insurance Tribunal

A key principle of the workers’ compensation regime in Ontario is that in exchange for insurance coverage in the event of an injury that arises at the workplace, injured workers are not entitled to sue his or her employer. In particular, section 26 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) states that entitlement […]

Limiting Language for Bonus and Stock Option Clauses – The Court of Appeal weighs in

A recent decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal, O’Reilly v. IMAX Corp., considered whether a wrongfully dismissed employee is entitled to exercise stock options, receive bonuses or other aspects of a compensation package, such as profit-sharing, during a reasonable notice period. This case dealt with an employee who had been employed for 22 years […]

Supreme Court of Canada to decide on Uber Appeal – Is an Arbitration Clause Unenforceable in an Employment Agreement?

During our spring newsletter last year, we noted that the Court of Appeal of Ontario had decided in Heller v. Uber Technologies Inc., [2019] O.J. No. 1, that the arbitration clause found in the independent contractors’ agreements was void  if the contractors were considered to be employees. The reasoning from the Court of Appeal was […]

Rule Changes to Small Claims Court and Simplified Procedure in Ontario

Effective January 1, 2020, the monetary jurisdiction of Small Claims Court has increased from $25,000 to $35,000. This is an important change for employment law as many wrongful dismissal cases will fall within this jurisdiction. Small Claims Court has streamlined procedures and often moves significantly faster than other levels of the Court. In addition, the […]

Practical Limitations: How far must an Employer go in order to protect Workers under the Canada Labour Code?

The Supreme Court of Canada recently heard the appeal of Canada Post Corp. v. Canadian Union of Postal Workers 2019 SCC 67 dealing with section 125(1)(z.12) of the Canada Labour Code. Section 125(1)(z.12) of the Canada Labour Code requires that the work place committee or the health and safety representative inspects all or part of […]

Standard of Review Clarified – Vavilov and the Supreme Court’s Decision

The long-awaited decision of Canada v. Vavilov, 2019 SCC 65 was recently released. The decision dealt with a case of a young man, born in Toronto, who had his citizenship put into question because he had Russian spies as parents. While it is an interesting case and certainly deserves a read, of more importance (depending […]