To wrap up 2022 and prepare for 2023, we highlighted key developments in Canadian labour and employment law:
1. COVID-19 Update
Workplace Vaccination Policies
Mandatory vaccination policies remained a prevalent issue in 2022. The first decisions to provide guidance on this topic came out of unionized workplaces, with many upholding vaccination policies.
The new year brings new challenges for employers. Join us as we take stock of changes over the last year and strategize for what’s on the horizon.
In our 75-minute “quick hits” format, we’ll help Canadian in-house counsel and human resources leaders track what to keep top-of-mind for 2023. We’ll also provide practical takeaways to help
Special thanks to Sarah Adler, Immigration Legal Counsel, and Simran Nandha for their assistance with this blog.
Further to the increased compliance requirements from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on all employers which commenced on September 30, 2022 (Government of Canada strengthens protections for temporary foreign
On November 14, 2022, Bill 26 – Strengthening Post-secondary Institutions and Students Act, 2022, passed second reading in the Ontario legislature. If passed, Bill 26 will be effective on July 1, 2023, and will transform how post-secondary institutions and private career colleges address sexual misconduct by faculty and staff.
Bill 26’s key changes
Special thanks to Arlan Gates and Justine Johnston.
Amendments to the Competition Act that come into force on June 23, 2023 will make it a criminal offence for employers to enter into no poach, wage fixing or other agreements related to the terms and conditions of employment in Canada.
In this In Focus video,
On June 1, 2022, the Québec National Assembly passed Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, introducing significant changes to the Charter of the French Language and other laws. The Bill aims to reinforce the use of French in business, services, communications, education, and the workplace by
In December 2021, the Ontario government passed Bill 27 – Working for Workers Act, 2021 requiring employers with 25 or more employees to create a “Disconnecting from Work Policy” by June 2, 2022. The Ontario government is following the lead of France, Spain and Portugal — all of which have adopted similar legislation in recent
On April 11, 2022 Bill 88, Working for Workers Act, 2022 received royal assent, introducing significant changes to a number of employment-related statutes, and introducing the Digital Platform Workers Rights Act, 2022.
The most important changes introduced by Bill 88 include:
In a recent episode of Canadian Justice, Andrew Shaw joined a legal panel talking about the employee right to disconnect. Shaw discussed proposed employment legislation regarding the ability of people to disconnect from work, like emails or text messages, during non-work hours, and the implications for employers.
Click here to watch the interview.
This interview
Background
In October 2021, the Quebec Government passed Bill 59, An Act to modernize the occupational health and safety regime. The Bill makes substantive changes to statutes involving health and safety in the workplace. These changes will gradually come into effect, with some already in force since October and others coming into force from
