Bird Richard is centrally located in Ottawa and serves clients nationally. Our clients range from large Crown Corporations with national operations to small local construction firms. We also provide services to corporations in Alberta, in the Northwest Territories and in Nunavut.
A digital platform is defined as an online platform that allows workers to choose to accept or decline digital platform work. Uber is a familiar example of a digital platform operator. The Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act, 2022, and its associated regulations, came into force on July 1, 2025. The Act imposed new obligations on […]
Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc., 2025 ONCA 379, is a welcomed decision that stands out amid a long trend of increased judicial scrutiny of employment contracts. The Ontario Court of Appeal has confirmed the enforceability of a termination clause that limits an employee’s entitlements to the minimum standards under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”). The […]
In Nickles v. 628810 Alberta Ltd., 2025 ABKB 212, a judge of the Alberta Court of King’s Bench has ruled that an employer’s directive requiring an employee to return to the office constituted a constructive dismissal. Constructive dismissal arises when an employer unilaterally makes a significant change to a fundamental term of employment without the […]
Ontario employers should take note of the recent decision in Baker v. Van Dolders Home Team Inc., 2025 ONSC 952, which underscores the importance of carefully drafting termination clauses in employment contracts. This ruling from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, released on February 11, 2025, highlights the high legal standards to which employers are […]
Effective July 1, 2025: A constructor or employer is required to ensure that any washroom facilities provided for worker use are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The constructor or employer is also required to keep, maintain and make available records of the cleaning of washroom facilities. Effective January 1, 2026: Cleaning records must […]
Effective July 1, 2025, Ontario employers with 25 or more employees will be required to provide the following information in writing to each new hire prior to their first day of work, or, if that is not feasible, as soon as reasonably possible thereafter: The employer’s legal name, along with any operating or business name […]
On April 1, 2025, the federal government increased the federal minimum wage from $17.30 to $17.75 per hour. This $0.45/hour raise reflects a 2.4% increase, aligned with Canada’s annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI). This increase will ensure salaries for workers in federally regulated private sectors are keeping pace with year-over-year cost of living increases. […]
This is a significant development that will have wide-reaching implications for individuals and businesses seeking more affordable and efficient legal recourse. The jurisdictional ceiling for the Small Claims Court increased from $10,000 to $25,000 in 2010. A further increase to $35,000 in 2020 enhanced access to justice for a broader range of civil disputes. The […]
On April 2, 2024, the Ontario Divisional Court issued its decision in Metrolinx v. Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1587, a judicial review of an arbitration ruling by the Grievance Settlement Board (GSB). The case highlights that private group chats can give rise to workplace discipline and confirms that employers have a statutory obligation to investigate […]
Ontario is implementing a permanent framework for target benefit pension plans to help workers prepare for retirement while supporting the sustainability of multi-employer pension plans. This framework, effective January 1, 2025, aims to encourage more employers to adopt these plans, enabling workers to build their retirement savings. Target benefit pension plans provide retirees with a […]
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508-130 Albert St,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5G4
T: 613-238-3772
F: 613-238-5955
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