PRIVACY POLICY
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BIRD RICHARD
508-130 Albert St,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5G4
T: 613-238-3772
F: 613-238-5955
DISCLAIMER
Before you send an e-mail to Bird Richard, please be aware that your communications with us through this message will not create a lawyer-client relationship with us. Do not send us any information that you or anyone else considers to be confidential or secret unless we have first agreed to be your lawyers in that matter. Any information you send us before we agree to be your lawyers cannot be protected from disclosure.
Nunavut Increases Minimum Wage
/in Fall 2008 /by BirdRichardOn September 5, 2008, Nunavut’s Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act, came into effect, resulting in an increase in the minimum wage from $8.50 per hour to $10.00 per hour. The rate will apply to all workers, regardless of age. Intended to reflect the territory’s high cost of living, the increase […]
Changes to Canadian Immigration Benefit Employers
/in Spring 2009 /by BirdRichardThe federal government has recently made several significant changes to Canadian immigration policies that will result in benefits to employers. In respect of temporary workers, changes have been made to allow certain workers to receive a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) work permit for a duration of three years, instead of one year. American […]
Employee Who Changed Positions Not Bound by Original Contract When Terminated
/in Spring 2009 /by BirdRichardIn Ling v. Unity Builders, the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench held that, when there has been a significant change to the nature of a person’s employment, a contract entered into before the change will cease to govern, and the termination of the employee will accordingly be governed by common law principles. Ling entered into […]
Workers’ Compensation Coverage to be Mandatory in Construction Industry
/in Spring 2009 /by BirdRichardOn November 27, 2008, Bill 119, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2008, received Royal Assent. The Act makes workers’ compensation coverage mandatory for independent operators, sole proprietors, partners and executive officers of corporations working in the construction industry. Members of the construction industry will be required to register with the Workplace Safety and […]
Employment Standards Update: Increased Protection for Temporary Workers
/in Spring 2009 /by BirdRichardOne recent amendment and one proposed amendment to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) will have a significant impact on employers who employ elect to work and temporary help employees. As of January 2, 2009, employees who work under arrangements whereby they may choose whether or not to work when requested are entitled to holiday […]
Organ Donor Leave Introduced
/in Spring 2009 /by BirdRichardThe Ontario Government introduced Bill 154, An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 in respect of organ donor leave, which will, if passed, provide up to 13 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave for employees who undergo surgery in order to donate certain organs to other persons. Donations of the kidney, lung, liver, pancreas […]
Supreme Court Affirms Traditional Approach to Restrictive Covenants
/in Spring 2009 /by BirdRichardOn January 23, 2009, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Shafron v. KRG Insurance Brokers (Western) Inc. The decision confirms the traditional approach of the court to determining whether a restrictive covenant will be enforceable by an employer against an employee. Mr. Shafron entered into a series of employment agreements with KRG, […]
What’s New at Bird Richard
/in Summer 2009 /by BirdRichardWe are pleased to announce that Alanna Twohey has completed her articles with Bird Richard and will be joining the firm as an Associate following her Call to the Bar on June 17, 2009.
Legislative Update
/in Summer 2009 /by BirdRichardIn the last issue, we reported on changes to the Employment Standards Act affecting temporary help employees. Bill 139, which was introduced in December of 2008 to create additional protections for temporary workers, is now scheduled to come into force on November 6, 2009.
Update on Drug Testing for Employees Working in Safety Sensitive Areas
/in Summer 2009 /by BirdRichardDrug and alcohol testing for employees in safety sensitive positions continues to be a hot topic for courts in Ontario. A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal has provided the latest word on the ability of employers to conduct random drug testing of their employees. In Imperial Oil Ltd v. Communications, Energy and […]