News & Events

On February 4, 2022, the Department of Finance released draft legislation that will, subject to certain conditions, permit administrators of defined contribution (“DC”) pension plans to correct past contribution errors.  The proposed amendments can be accessed at https://fin.canada.ca/drleg-apl/2022/ita-lir-0222-1-eng.html. The current Income Tax Act (the “ITA”) rules governing DC pension plans do not allow for “catch-up”

In a recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the principles in the now infamous Waksdale v. Swegon North America Inc., 2020 ONCA 391 decision were applied to a fixed term contract, striking out a termination clause where the ‘for cause’ termination provision was broader than permitted by the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000

In a decision issued on February 7, 2022, Arbitrator Gail Misra struck down an employer’s policy for mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 to the extent that the policy contemplated termination as an “automatic” penalty for non-compliance. The decision deals with a policy grievance by Healthcare, Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 2220 (“the Union”) against Chartwell

In a recent decision, Arbitrator Michael Mitchell upheld a policy on mandatory vaccination (which required two doses in addition to any recommended boosters) against COVID-19 as it applied to employees who work in an indoor setting at least some of the time.[1] The Power Workers’ Union (“the Union”) filed a policy grievance against the vaccination

Interest in environmental, social and governance (“ESG“) factors is increasing quickly among Canadian investors, spurred in part by the view that redirecting investments towards the climate crisis and our collective social and governance challenges may be an effective way to address portfolio risk and, at the same time, to resolve these larger issues. To date,

In its fall economic statement, Ontario introduced amendments to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario Act, 2016 that would protect whistle-blowers. The bill, which also included amendments to numerous other statutes, came into force on December 9, 2021. The new legislation defines whistle-blowers as persons or entities who, in good faith, disclose to the

Arleen Huggins will be speaking at The Osgoode Advanced Certificate in Workplace Investigations Program on March 21, 2022.  Arleen’s session will focus on “Investigating Allegations of Racism, Systemic Racism Prejudice and Bias in the Workplace”.  For more information about the program, please click here

James Harnum, a Partner in the Pensions and Benefits Department, provided pro bono legal representation to migrant farm workers in their battle to recoup thousands in termination pay, unpaid wages and other amounts owing to them by Pharmhouse Inc., a bankrupt cannabis production facility. To read the full article please click here.

Nancy Shapiro will be speaking at the West Toronto Dental Society’s Zoom Webinar Lecture, Employment Law in the Dental Office – Covid Implications, on March 3, 2022. For more information about the event, please click here.

Nancy Shapiro was a guest on The Great Canadian Leadership Podcast as part of their special series on navigating difficult conversations. Nancy specifically discussed giving feedback and how you can build your confidence and strengthen your team. Listen here!