EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: IMPLICATIONS OF BAKER v. VAN DOLDERS FOR ONTARIO’S EMPLOYERS

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 […]

NEW OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT REQUIREMENTS – CLEAN WASHROOM FACILITIES

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 […]

NEW ONTARIO EMPLOYER OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO EMPLOYEES

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 […]

FEDERAL AND ONTARIO MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

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. […]

MONETARY LIMIT FOR ONTARIO’S SMALL CLAIMS COURT WILL INCREASE FROM $35,000 TO $50,000

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 […]

Ontario Divisional Court finds Private Group Chats can lead to Discipline in the Workplace

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 Helping Workers Plan for Retirement

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 […]

Ontario Expanding the Role of Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

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, […]

Working For Workers Six Act

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 […]

Modifications to Temporary Employment Agencies’ Rate Setting

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 […]