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    Federal employers, the wait is over: New federal pay equity regime coming August 31

    Federal employers, the wait is over: New federal pay equity regime coming

    Since the Pay Equity Act (the Act) received royal assent in December 2018, its coming into force has been highly anticipated.

    Canada | Publication | August 04, 2021

    Federal employment and labour
    Returning to the workplace: Navigating employee requests to work from home for childcare reasons

    Return to work: Navigating employee requests to work from home for childcare

    It has been over a year since COVID-19 first triggered a mass exodus from workplaces. Employees with young children have had to manage difficulties arising from school closures, virtual learning, and struggles to secure and maintain childcare.

    Canada | Publication | July 28, 2021

    Employment and labour
    Getting back on track: Mental health and a return to the workplace

    Getting back on track: Mental health and a return to the workplace

    As things continue to move in the right direction (vaccinations, declining infection numbers) employers and teleworking employees are contemplating a return to the physical workplace soon.

    Canada | Publication | July 09, 2021

    Employment and labour
    A competing perspective: COVID-19-related layoffs are not constructive dismissals

    A competing perspective: COVID-19-related layoffs are not constructive dismissals

    Ontario employers struggling to manage their workforces during the COVID-19 pandemic received welcome news from a favourable Superior Court of Justice decision. In Taylor v Hanley Hospitality Inc., the court held that a temporary layoff caused by reasons related to COVID-19 did not constitute a constructive dismissal at common law.

    Canada | Publication | June 10, 2021

    Employment and labour
    COVID-19: the Superior Court of Quebec refuses to authorize a class action against 15 universities

    COVID-19: the Superior Court of Quebec refuses to authorize a class action against 15 universities

    In a judgment rendered on June 3, the Superior Court of Quebec refused to authorize the institution of a large-scale class action against 15 Quebec universities, 12 of which are represented by a team from our firm.

    Canada | Publication | June 07, 2021

    Class actions
    BC introduces paid sick leave in addition to paid vaccination leave

    BC introduces paid sick leave in addition to paid vaccination leave

    The BC government has recently enacted amendments to the Employment Standards Act, which provide employees with three additional types of paid leave.

    Canada | Publication | May 28, 2021

    Employment and labour
    Employers take note: A temporary layoff for COVID-19-related reasons may constitute constructive dismissal at common law

    Employers take note: A temporary layoff for COVID-19-related reasons may constitute constructive dismissal at common law

    As the year progresses, courts are starting to address the pandemic’s impact on employment-related issues, such as those surrounding temporary layoffs.

    Canada | Publication | May 25, 2021

    Employment and labour
    Post-pandemic: The issues of working from home and the need for a related policy

    Post-pandemic: The issues of working from home and the need for a policy

    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking was not only favoured, but mandatory for a large part of the Quebec workforce.

    Canada | Publication | May 18, 2021

    Employment and labour
    IP monitor: Innovation and industry after COVID-19: Canada’s 2021 budget

    Innovation and industry after COVID-19: Canada’s 2021 budget

    The 2021 federal budget includes commitments to investing in innovation and growing businesses as a means to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Canada | Publication | April 28, 2021

    Intellectual property
    Alberta introduces paid COVID-19 vaccination leave

    Alberta introduces paid COVID-19 vaccination leave

    The Government of Alberta introduced Bill 71, Employment Standards (COVID-19 Vaccination Leave) Amendment Act on April 21.

    Canada | Publication | April 26, 2021

    Employment and labour
    Toronto and Peel Region issue new workplace orders: temporary measures for reported COVID-19 cases

    Toronto and Peel Region issue new workplace orders: temporary measures for reported COVID-19 cases

    On Tuesday, April 20, Toronto and Peel Region introduced new orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, impacting most physical workplaces operating in those regions.

    Canada | Publication | April 23, 2021

    Employment and labour
    How do courts treat notice periods for terminated employees during the pandemic?

    How do courts treat notice periods for terminated employees during the pandemic?

    The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on workplaces across the world.

    Canada | Publication | April 16, 2021

    Employment and labour
    It’s vaccination time: BC government expands COVID-19-related leave

    It’s vaccination time: BC government expands COVID-19-related leave

    The vaccine rollout is quickly expanding in BC as we enter Phase 3 of the province’s immunization plan.

    Canada | Publication | April 09, 2021

    Employment and labour
    Canadian securities regulators publish updated COVID-19 disclosures guidance

    Canadian securities regulators publish updated COVID-19 disclosures guidance

    Just in time for the 2021 proxy and continuous disclosure season, the Canadian securities regulators have published guidance for improved disclosures related to COVID-19.

    Canada | Publication | March 02, 2021

    Corporate, M&A and securities
    Ontario declares a second emergency, issues a stay-at-home order, and amends COVID-19 rules for individuals and businesses

    Ontario declares a second emergency, issues a stay-at-home order, and amends COVID-19 rules for individuals and businesses

    On January 12, Ontario declared a second emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

    Canada | Publication | January 18, 2021

    Employment and labour
    CCAA court decides tenant still

    CCAA court decides tenant still "using" leased premises despite COVID-19 restrictions

    After a series of court cases in Quebec relating to the payment of rent in light of government-imposed restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID restrictions), the Superior Court of Québec rendered a decision of interest on January 5 in the context of the restructuring proceedings commenced by Groupe Dynamite Inc. and certain affiliates under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).

    Canada | Publication | January 13, 2021

    Bankruptcy, financial restructuring and insolvency
    Update: Confinement reinstated in Quebec

    Update: Confinement reinstated in Quebec

    Since our last publication, order-in-council no. 2-2021 made on January 8, 2021, (Order in Council 2-2021) has been published by the Quebec government.

    Canada | Publication | January 11, 2021

    Employment and labour
    Confinement reinstated in Quebec: What employers need to know

    Confinement reinstated in Quebec: What employers need to know

    The epidemiological situation having recently worsened in Quebec at the beginning of 2021, the province’s premier announced additional measures yesterday to “break the second wave” of the pandemic.

    Canada | Publication | January 07, 2021

    Employment and labour
    Housebound for the holidays

    Housebound for the holidays

    ‘Tis the season for dealing with holiday pay, vacation requests and – though not merry – new health and safety measures and restrictions.

    Canada | Publication | December 23, 2020

    Employment and labour
    Relief for Ontario employers extended in time for the (soon-to-be locked down) holidays

    Relief for Ontario employers extended in time for the (soon-to-be locked down) holidays

    Despite the recent announcement of Ontario’s province-wide lockdown now expected to come into effect on Boxing Day, employers may still find some cheer in learning that the COVID-19 period has recently been extended to July 3, 2021.

    Canada | Publication | December 23, 2020

    Employment and labour
    Strong medicine and a bitter pill: Ontario court upholds shotgun clause despite COVID-19 pandemic

    Strong medicine and a bitter pill: Ontario court upholds shotgun clause despite COVID-19 pandemic

    Amid the deluge of high-profile 2020 decisions relating to the impact of COVID-19, there have been some less publicized but nevertheless instructive judgments on more conventional commercial issues.

    Canada | Publication | December 21, 2020

    Litigation and disputes
    (A stormy) year in review: how labour decision-makers adjusted sails to weather the pandemic winds of 2020

    (A stormy) year in review: how labour decision-makers adjusted sails to weather the pandemic winds of 2020

    Though a second year of COVID-19 is no gift, employers can now prepare for it with the benefit of experience they didn’t have before.

    Canada | Publication | December 18, 2020

    Employment and labour
    Employers’ first glance at vaccinations: Mandatory in the workplace or not?

    Employers’ first glance at vaccinations: Mandatory in the workplace or not?

    With the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations expected to soon be administered to Canadians, some employers are no doubt asking one important question: to what extent can vaccination be mandatorily required for employees in Canada’s physical workplaces?

    Canada | Publication | December 14, 2020

    Employment and labour
    Federal Court weighs in on mandatory quarantine upon re-entering Canada

    Federal Court weighs in on mandatory quarantine upon re-entering Canada

    To contain the spread of COVID-19, the federal government has imposed a mandatory 14-day quarantine for individuals re-entering Canada, with certain exemptions in place.

    Canada | Publication | November 26, 2020

    Employment and labour
    Canada’s post-CECRA economic response plan: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, in the nick of time

    Canada’s post-CECRA economic response plan: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, in the nick of time

    As part of Canada’s COVID-19 economic response plan, the federal government recently provided the framework for the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) program, which serves as a replacement to and stands separate from the now-expired Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program.

    Canada | Publication | November 24, 2020

    Real estate
    Proposed legislation protects Ontario businesses from pandemic-related legal claims

    Proposed legislation protects Ontario businesses from pandemic-related legal claims

    On October 20, 2020, the Ontario government tabled the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, 2020 (the Act) in the legislature for first reading.

    Canada | Publication | October 21, 2020

    Litigation and disputes
    Commercial lease remedies during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Canada: Commercial lease remedies during the COVID-19 pandemic

    In a series of recent cases, courts in Quebec have prevented landlords from terminating commercial leases and/or have reduced rent payable during periods where tenants were forced to close due to COVID-19, particularly where landlords did not apply for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program (CECRA).

    Canada | Publication | October 08, 2020

    Real estate
    CECRA program: Closed to new applicants but extensions still available for existing applicants

    Canada: CECRA program: Closed to new applicants but extensions still available for existing applicants

    Further to our May 21 legal update, the terms of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses program continued to evolve over the summer and the program administrator, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), has now confirmed that there will be no further extensions of the CECRA program.

    Canada | Publication | October 02, 2020

    Real estate
    New Stage 3 screening measures for Ontario employers now in effect

    New Stage 3 screening measures for Ontario employers now in effect

    New screening recommendations and other changes to the province’s Stage 3 rules are now in effect for provincially regulated employers in Ontario.

    Canada | Publication | October 01, 2020

    Employment and labour
    Guide to COVID-19: Government Relief Programs in Canada

    Guide to COVID-19: Government Relief Programs in Canada

    As Canadian business leaders continue to face exceptional and wide-ranging challenges in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government and each of the provincial governments have introduced various subsidy, tax and other relief to help businesses cope with the crisis.

    Canada | Publication | September 25, 2020

    Employment and labour
    Not so fast Ontario employers: Ford government extends the COVID-19 period to the 2021 new year

    Not so fast Ontario employers: Ford government extends the COVID-19 period to the 2021 new year

    The Government of Ontario announced on September 3 that the COVID-19 period is extended to January 2, 2021.

    Canada | Publication | September 09, 2020

    Employment and labour
    What to expect after the Canada Emergency Response Benefit comes to an end

    What to expect after the Canada Emergency Response Benefit comes to an end

    With the end of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) fast approaching, the federal government announced on August 20 a number of major changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program.

    Canada | Publication | September 04, 2020

    Employment and labour
    Not turning a blind eye: addressing domestic violence, telework, and pandemic-related employment considerations in Canada

    Canada: Addressing domestic violence, telework, and pandemic employment considerations

    Rates of domestic violence have increased by 20 to 30 percent across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, coinciding with the shift of the workplace from office to home.

    Canada | Publication | August 31, 2020

    Employment and labor
    Western Canada’s turn to cover up! Mandatory face-covering requirements and other health and safety measures in Alberta and British Columbia

    Canada: Western Canada’s turn to cover up! Mandatory face-covering requirements and other health and safety measures in Alberta and British Columbia

    Both Alberta and British Columbia (BC) have now implemented measures to allow employees to return to the physical workplace.

    Canada | Publication | July 28, 2020

    Life sciences and healthcare
    A broadening of CEWS: Revisions and updates to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

    Canada: Revisions, updates to Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

    On July 21 the House of Commons passed Bill C-20, which extends the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program (CEWS), a key measure in Canada’s COVID-19 response plan.

    Canada | Publication | July 23, 2020

    Employment and labor
    From 2 to 3: Ontario employers, Stage 3 has (for the most part) arrived

    Canada: From 2 to 3: Ontario employers, Stage 3 has (for the most part) arrived

    In Canada, Statistics Canada reports that nearly 1 million more people were employed in June, a 6% increase from May.

    Canada | Publication | July 21, 2020

    Global economy and state aid
    Employer month 6 pandemic check: Is your re-opening plan compliant and ready for returning employees?

    Canada: Employer month 6 pandemic check: Is your re-opening plan compliant and ready for returning employees?

    As businesses slowly and gradually welcome returning employees back to the physical workplace across Canada, governments in various jurisdictions have published guidelines and recommendations on adopting and publishing a re-opening plan.

    Canada | Publication | July 20, 2020

    Employment and labour
    Modernization of the courts during COVID-19

    Canada: Modernization of the courts during COVID-19

    Litigants and courts alike have faced struggles with handling a new frontier of litigation in the age of COVID-19.

    Canada | Publication | July 20, 2020

    Litigation and disputes
    CIPO extends deadlines – to August 10

    Canada: CIPO extends deadlines – to August 10

    Although the Canadian economy is re-opening and COVID-imposed restrictions are being loosened, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is maintaining its deadline extension policy.

    Canada | Publication | July 17, 2020

    Intellectual property
    Updating waivers for COVID-19

    Canada: Updating waivers for COVID-19

    If you have a recreational activity, adventure, or sports-orientated business you probably already have a liability waiver that customers or participants sign before they engage in activities on your premises.

    Canada | Publication | July 09, 2020

    Risk and regulatory
    IP monitor: CIPO extends deadlines until July 20, 2020

    Canada: IP monitor: CIPO extends deadlines until July 20, 2020

    In view of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, on June 30 the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) once again extended most deadlines in the period beginning March 16 and ending July 17, 2020, to the next day that it is open for business, i.e., until July 20, 2020.

    Canada | Publication | June 30, 2020

    Intellectual property
    Coronavirus for employers: leaves, work refusals, accommodation and more

    Canada: Coronavirus for employers: leaves, work refusals, accommodation and more

    2020 began with a global health outbreak: the coronavirus, or in medical terms, “2019-nCoV.”

    Canada | Publication | June 30, 2020

    Employment and labor
    Temporary ban on certain non-immigrants to the US: what you need to know

    Temporary ban on certain non-immigrants to the US: what you need to know

    On June 22, President Trump issued the Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak that suspends the entry of foreign nationals with certain employment-based non-immigrant visas into the United States.

    Canada | Publication | June 25, 2020

    Immigration law
    COVID-19: Funding and financial relief programs for startups and small businesses

    Funding and financial relief programs for startups and small businesses

    The financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been particularly hard felt by startups and small businesses.

    Canada | Publication | June 19, 2020

    Financial institutions
    The National Holiday and Canada Day in Quebec: take-away for employers

    The National Holiday and Canada Day in Quebec: take-away for employers

    Pandemic or no pandemic, to many people the summer season only truly kicks off in Quebec on June 24 with the National Holiday (also known as St. John the Baptist Day), and on July 1 with Canada Day, both of which fall on a Wednesday this year.

    Canada | Publication | June 18, 2020

    Employment and labour
    curved road

    Beyond COVID-19

    Crisis response or road to recovery?

    Learn more
    

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