The Pulse - Healthcare Update
This inaugural issue covers Ontario hospital arbitration decisions, HLDAA wage award trends, Alberta developments including wrongful dismissal litigation at AHS and a physician wage arbitration, BC duty of fair representation and human rights decisions, Charter litigation redefining the limits of government intervention in collective bargaining, and the pan-Canadian expansion of long-term illness leaves. If you have questions about any of the matters covered, please reach out to a member of our team.
Read more
In A Flash
One of the primary changes proposed is an increase from the current level of Loss-of-Earnings (“LOE”) benefits payable to workers, from 85% of a worker’s pre-injury net average earnings to 90%. This represents the first increase to income replacement benefits that would be seen in 30 years. An increase to payable LOE benefits, if passed, … Continued
Read more
In A Flash
ESDC has indicated that these measures are intended to target unemployed youth in Canada and to address critical labour shortages faced by rural communities due to low unemployment rates and difficulty attracting, recruiting and retaining workers. A ‘Low-Wage’ position is a position where the Employer will pay less than the wage threshold provided for the … Continued
Read more
In A Flash
On October 1, 2026, the minimum wage in Ontario will be increasing from $17.60 to $17.95 per hour, representing an approximately 2% increase. This follows a previous increase from $17.20 to $17.60 per hour, effective October 1, 2025. Ontario’s new minimum wage will remain the second highest of all provinces in the country after British … Continued
Read more
Employers' Advisor
Articles: Proof of Cannabis Consumption is NOT Proof of Impairment: Policy Wording Matters! To Whom it May Concern: Employer’s Failure to Provide Positive Letter of Reference Results in Lengthier Notice Period Age-Based Benefit Limits Upheld: What Okanagan College Means for Employers Proof of Cannabis Consumption is NOT Proof of Impairment: Policy Wording Matters! Megan … Continued
Read more
In A Flash
Currently, under Ontario’s workplace laws, if a subcontractor fails to pay its employees the wages they are owed, the employees or their trade union must seek recourse against the subcontractor itself. This may involve filing a grievance under an applicable collective agreement, commencing a court action, or lodging a complaint with the Ministry of Labour, … Continued
Read more
OHS & Workers’ Compensation Advisor
The Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (“WWA7”) became law on November 27, 2025. It amended section 7.6.1 of the OHSA by adding the Equivalency Requirement – the details of which would be subject to the OHSA’s regulations.[1] The WWA7 also empowered Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development inspectors to issue Administrative Monetary … Continued
Read more
OHS & Workers’ Compensation Advisor
In November 2025 the Ontario government empowered Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) inspectors to issue Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) for violations of the OHSA and its regulations – a significant enforcement change. However, at that time, most of the relevant details were left to a pending regulation. In our previous Advisor, we identified numerous … Continued
Read more
In A Flash
Changes Taking Place Currently, under the Alberta Employment Standards Code (the “Code”), an eligible employee can take up to 16 weeks of long-term illness and injury leave per calendar year. Starting on January 1, 2026, eligible employees will be able to take up to 27 weeks of leave per calendar year. This change aligns with … Continued
Read more
