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.
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 […]
The Ontario government is introducing changes to improve access to healthcare by expanding the scope of practice for nurse practitioners and registered nurses. These regulatory adjustments will enable them to order more tests and provide additional services across various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, interprofessional primary care teams, and long-term care homes. Effective July 1, […]
On December 19, 2024, Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 (Bill 229) received Royal Assent. Bill 229 aims to build on the progress of the previous five Working for Workers Acts. This legislation introduces a range of measures designed to protect workers’ health and wellbeing, promote skilled trades, and reduce costs and add benefits […]
The WSIB recently completed a review of the rate setting system for Temporary Employment Agencies (TEAs), prompted by concerns from certain TEAs, particularly those supplying clerical labour. These concerns highlighted that the rate-setting approach initially planned for 2020 would lead to significant rate increases for some agencies. Accordingly, the WSIB has modified the TEAs’ rate […]
In Marentette v. Canada (Attorney General), 2024 FC 676, a Border Services Officer with the Canada Boarder Services Agency sought judicial review of an investigation report that found that the incidents which had occurred over a 25-year period rose to the level of workplace harassment, or violence. The employer did not initiate an investigation for […]
In Croke v. VuPoint System Ltd., 2024 ONCA 354, the Ontario Court of Appeal examined whether the doctrine of frustration applied to an employment contract terminated due to an employee’s violation of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. The court upheld frustration of contract in this context. VuPoint had a service contract with Bell Canada, under […]
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508-130 Albert St,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5G4
T: 613-238-3772
F: 613-238-5955
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