A recent decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal has resolved a long-standing discrepancy in employment law regarding the interpretation of termination clauses in employment agreements. Specifically, several judicial decisions in Ontario have come to inconsistent conclusions regarding whether the use of the words “at any time” or “for any reason” invalidate what would otherwise […]
How did three years fly by so fast?! To ensure employers in Ontario have met current accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”), a compliance report must be filed periodically to the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility. If you are a business or non-profit organization with 20 or more employees in […]
Employers operating in New Brunswick should be aware of the below legislative updates that came into force on June 12, 2026. These changes align with updates we are seeing across many Canadian jurisdictions. Pay Transparency Act (the “Act”) Effective June 12, 2026, employers operating in New Brunswick will be: Required to include the expected salary […]
On June 30, 2026, Prince Edward Island’s new Employment Standards Act (“Act”) came into force, replacing the previous legislative framework and introducing significant changes to minimum employment standards in the province. According to the provincial government, the Act is designed to modernize employment standards while strengthening the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees. Key […]
As digital assets become more common in retail payments and cross-border transactions, some employers are exploring whether crypto can play a role in employee compensation — not only as an alternative payment mechanism, but also as a potential recruitment and retention tool. In Ontario, the answer appears to be yes, but only with careful structuring. […]
A recent decision from an Ontario arbitrator (SEIU, Local 1 and COGIR Canadian RH Management) has provided an important, albeit circumstantially unique, reminder that employee theft remains amongst the most serious forms of misconduct in the workplace. The Case Arbitrator Lindsay Lawrence was tasked with determining whether the termination for cause of a cook in […]
A recent case out of Pembroke, Ontario is a reminder to all employers of the importance of cooperation and honesty when subject to a Ministry of Labour investigation – otherwise suffer the consequences! In 2023, an employment standards officer was investigating a complaint made by a Boston Pizza employee in Pembroke in relation to their […]
With the growing number of foreign nationals working in Canada, there are some associated challenges that may arise. Our clients are reporting that they are finding out after an offer of employment has gone out, that the candidate is on a fixed term work permit, sometimes with only a couple months remaining. This can cause […]
Recent changes to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) have introduced an extended temporary layoff framework. The changes are now in effect and are relevant for employers managing restructuring or economic challenges. Layoff vs. termination — why the distinction matters While a temporary layoff is not a termination, the difference can be easy to overlook. […]
In Aguele v. Family Options Inc., the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario provided helpful clarification for employers concerning the duty to accommodate under the Ontario Human Rights Code, particularly in relation to family status accommodation in employment. Understanding Family Status Accommodation “Family status” under the Code refers to responsibilities arising from a parent–child relationship, including both childcare […]