Articles
December 12, 2022
On June 23, 2023, new Competition Act amendments will come into effect. Of significance to employers and companies are the amendments under s. 45(1) which now criminally punish wage-fixing and no-poach clauses in contracts between unaffiliated employers.
August 15, 2022
Pursuant to Section 41.1.1 of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”), employers with 25 or more employees are now required to have a written policy on the electronic monitoring of employees by October 11, 2022.
August 15, 2022
In October 2021, the Government of Ontario ushered in several changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”), one of which was the prohibition of non-competition clauses. Ontario was the first province in Canada to do so.
July 11, 2022
With Canada Day just around the corner, it is a timely reminder for employers to ensure they are complying with their obligations surrounding public (statutory) holidays.
June 27,2022
With Canada Day just around the corner, it is a timely reminder for employers to ensure they are complying with their obligations surrounding public (statutory) holidays.
October 15, 2021
During any business acquisition, lawyers routinely advise clients on the relevant legal, tax, and business considerations
November 3, 2021
Over the past several years, there have been a wave of decisions from the courts which make it increasingly more difficult for employers to remove employees’ entitlements...
November 3, 2021
With Canada Day just around the corner, it is a timely reminder for employers to ensure they are complying with their obligations surrounding public (statutory) holidays.
September 20, 2021
The Ontario Government has once again extended the application of O.Reg 228/20, Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (“IDEL Regulation” or “Regulation”) until January 1, 2022.
June 21, 2021
As of June 11, Ontario has moved into “Step 1” of the provincial government’s reopening plan. As we move out of lockdown and toward reopening, employers should be aware of some constraints on whether and how they are allowed to operate their businesses, as well as what they are able to ask of their employees.
June 10, 2021
Ontario employers will welcome two recent developments pertaining to an employer’s ability to manage its workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 18, 2021
The Ontario courts continue to scrutinize both the drafting and application of termination provisions by employers.
May 5, 2021
Employees are eligible for IDEL Pay if they are unable to attend work for one of the following reasons.
April 30, 2021
An Ontario Court has now confirmed that unilaterally placing an employee on an Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (“IDEL”) can amount to a constructive dismissal at common law.
April 30, 2021
During the COVID-19 pandemic, much has been written about the impact of COVID-19 on the reasonable notice period. Many have asserted that it is more difficult for a terminated employee to find new employment during the pandemic, and that as a result, they should be entitled to an enhanced reasonable notice period.
January 3, 2021
In December of 2020, Brauti Thorning’s Michael Lacy, and Lawrence Gridin brought an application for interlocutory injunction on behalf of the Toronto International Celebration Church seeking an exemption from the government restriction on religious worship during the grey-lockdown, which prohibited church gatherings of more than 10 people regardless of the size of the place of worship.
October 2, 2020
The past two weeks saw four important legislative developments that will affect employers and employees throughout Ontario from the Governments of Canada and Ontario.
Over the past week, two major changes occurred concerning the COVID-19 response from the Governments of Canada and Ontario.
Over the past week, two major changes occurred concerning the COVID-19 response from the Governments of Canada and Ontario.
Employers may now need to revise and re-write their employment contracts to ensure enforceability.
As businesses reopen across Ontario, both the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario continue to adjust their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following update summarizes the current state of these initiatives as of July 5, 2020. We will continue to provide periodic summaries of these programs as major developments occur.
June 1, 2020
Late Friday afternoon, the government of Ontario enacted Regulation 228/20 (the “Regulation”). The Regulation applies only to non-unionized employees and, among other things, modifies the layoff and constructive dismissal sections of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”). It will have far-reaching effects for employers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
May 19, 2020
As the spread of COVID-19 slows down, the Ontario government is gradually beginning to permit workplaces to re-open. With the COVID-19 crisis being far from over, employers are grappling with a new set of challenges as they begin re-introducing employees to the workplace. We have highlighted key considerations for employers as they prepare to re-open.
May 19, 2020
As employers across Ontario take steps to adapt to the significant disruptions COVID-19 has caused to normal work-life, it is important that they do not forget about their obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”).
April 29, 2020
BT Legal's Covid-19 Bulletin Updated to April 29, 2020.
April 24, 2020
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, employers continue to grapple with difficult staffing decisions that come with a slowdown in business. The Federal Work-Sharing program (“Program”), which is designed specifically for the types of circumstances that COVID-19 has created, offers a potential solution for employers.
April 23, 2020
BT Legal's Covid-19 Bulletin Updated to April 23, 2020.
April 14, 2020
BT Legal's Covid-19 Bulletin Updated to April 14, 2020.
April 14, 2020
The federal government has launched a number of initiatives in the past few weeks aimed at helping businesses weather the economic effects of COVID-19. While these initiatives offer short-term solutions, companies will still be required to pay most of the amounts currently being loaned or deferred.
April 14, 2020
On April 11, 2020, Parliament debated and passed into law the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2, which implements the federal government’s Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”). The CEWS that ultimately passed was different than that announced by the federal government on March 27, 2020.
April 6, 2020
BT Legal's Covid-19 Bulletin Updated to April 6, 2020.
April 6, 2020
As of April, 6, 2020, workers can apply for the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (“CERB”). The following update sets out what CERB is, how employees can apply, and how it may affect the federal government’s other employment benefit initiatives, such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
April 2, 2020
The Government of Canada has released details on its Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”). CEWS is a 75% wage subsidy being offered to all businesses that have lost 30% of their revenue as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
March 31 2020
BT Legal's Covid-19 Bulletin Updated to March 30, 2020.
March 31 2020
Businesses across Ontario are struggling as the effects of COVID-19 become ever more acute. Governments have ordered certain businesses to close and still more are shutting down as a result of the sharp economic decline. In response, many employers have begun widespread and potentially long-lasting layoffs.
March 25, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the economy and the legal landscape on an hourly basis. Businesses are being forced to respond just as quickly. Many decisions made today will affect a business’s survival tomorrow. We understand that staying up to date and navigating your business’s legal obligations is not just more important than ever before, but also more difficult. We are committed to helping you work through these unprecedented times.
March 25, 2020
Businesses across Ontario are struggling as the effects of COVID-19 become ever more acute. Governments have ordered certain businesses to close and still more are shutting down as a result of the sharp economic decline. In response, many employers have begun widespread and potentially long-lasting layoffs.