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On April 11, 2020, Bill C-14, “A second Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19,” received royal assent and became law. The new act implements an emergency 75% wage subsidy for a 12-week period commencing on March 15, 2020, and continuing until August 29, 2020 (the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy). The legislation is enacted …

COVID-19: Canadian Wage Subsidies, Small Businesses and the Self-Employed Read More »

To keep citizens safe, Ontario has deemed certain businesses essential and requested all other businesses to close their physical locations. Subsequently, the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) has created new regulations to allow those who provide legal services to work from home and to conduct many essential duties online, one of which is commissioning documents. …

New Virtual Commissioning of Legal Documents – A Positive Development Read More »

Since mid-March 2020, employers have been wondering what options there are for their employees in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are answers to employers’ most frequently asked questions with regards to wage subsidies, SUB Plan and Work-Sharing. Here’s a quick glance at the questions we answer in more detail below: 1. What are …

Employers Frequently Asked Questions About Employment and COVID-19 (Updated Sept 16 2021) Read More »

The pandemic of COVID-19 has significantly impacted workplaces around the globe. Many employers are facing an economic crisis that they have never experienced before. In Ontario, provincially regulated employees have been informed of their legal rights in the event of workplace closures or layoffs. However, alongside provincially regulated employees, it is also important to highlight …

COVID-19 and Federally Regulated Employees: What Are My Rights? Read More »

COVID-19 illness or stress as a result of the pandemic may render employees unable to work. Disability insurance is an important benefit that should not be overlooked in these circumstances. Currently, many employees, who have not been outright terminated, may be temporarily laid off or be subject to various reduced hours plans. Some workplaces provide …

Employee’s Rights: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability During COVID-19 Read More »

The content of this post is constantly updated and it presents the most recent information as of September 16, 2021. Since mid-March 2020, we have answered hundreds of calls from employees in Ontario about their entitlements and options during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employees often feel they are presented with ultimatums and cannot afford to pay …

COVID-19 and the Workplace: What Employees Need to Know (Updated Sept 16, 2021) Read More »

Under the Employment Standards Act (ESA), there are three key minimum entitlements an employee is entitled to in the event of termination without cause: 1) notice of termination or pay in lieu thereof, 2) benefit continuation and 3) severance pay. Those entitlements compose your severance package. a) What is notice of termination or pay in …

What Are An Employee’s Minimum Entitlements Under The Ontario Employment Standards Act? Read More »

The COVID-19 crisis has spawned an interesting array of emergency schemes by governments to provide assistance to those who have lost employment as a result of the downturns. It is instructive to consider the similarities and differences. The United Kingdom has enacted direct support to workers and it could be a good source of inspiration …

The Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy Debate: Look Across the Pond For Options Read More »

More time to file your employment claims: Ontario uses emergency powers to suspend legal limitation periods and lawyers turn to virtual mediations. As of March 17, 2020, the Ontario government declared an emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and the court system has been shut down to minimize the risk of exposure to …

Ontario Suspends Limitation Periods: Time for Virtual Mediations Read More »

The content of this post is constantly updated and it presents the most recent information as of June 26, 2020. On March 18, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new economic measures to help stabilize the economy during this difficult period. Following the announcement, on March 25, 2019, the federal COVID-19 Emergency Response Act  (the “CERA”) …

Government Support for Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Employment Insurance, Temporary and Long Term Support Read More »