Labour & Employment Insights

Image for Canada Labour Code Amendments Re-introduce “Card Check” Certification

Canada Labour Code Amendments Re-introduce “Card Check” Certification

Authors: Shannon Whyley, Robert Frost-Hinz

Published: July 26, 2017

Categories: Labour & Employment

Recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code (the “Code”) came into force on June 22, 2017, following Royal Assent of Bill C-4. These amendments modified a number of requirements with…

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Saskatchewan to Increase Minimum Wage

Author: Robert Frost-Hinz

Published: June 26, 2017

Categories: Labour & Employment

Following the annual review of Saskatchewan’s minimum wage, effective October 1, 2017, the minimum wage in Saskatchewan will increase by $0.24/hour from $10.72/hour to $10.96/hour. All provincially-regulated employers with employees paid…

Image for Supreme Court of Canada Upholds Enforceability of Drug and Alcohol Policy

Supreme Court of Canada Upholds Enforceability of Drug and Alcohol Policy

Authors: Walter Pavlic, Q.C., Megan Kheong

Published: June 16, 2017

Categories: Labour & Employment

The Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) has confirmed the enforceability of drug and alcohol policies that: encourage voluntary disclosure of an addiction prior to an incident; and state that failure…

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Unions Denied Leave to Supreme Court

Authors: Leah Schatz, Q.C., Brent Matkowski

Published: June 14, 2017

Categories: Health Care, Labour & Employment

This post is further to our previous blog regarding an application by Saskatchewan health-care unions for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. On June 1, 2017 the Supreme…

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Global Talent Stream: Can it Help Your Company Access LMIAs Faster?

Authors: Scott Bell, Reis Pagtakhan

Published: June 14, 2017

Categories: Immigration, Labour & Employment

Employers in many industries have shared a common experience. They lament that the immigration programs currently available can create excessive barriers to the growth of their companies. Due to labour shortages…

Image for Global Skills Strategy: Employers Benefit from Faster Work Permit Processing and Exemptions

Global Skills Strategy: Employers Benefit from Faster Work Permit Processing and Exemptions

Authors: Scott Bell, Reis Pagtakhan

Published: June 14, 2017

Categories: Immigration, Labour & Employment

On June 12, 2017, the Government of Canada launched the Global Skills Strategy. This launch was done in connection with the new Global Talent Stream. The focus of the Global…

Image for The 2 Most Common Questions about Bonus Programs

The 2 Most Common Questions about Bonus Programs

Author: Kristin Gibson

Published: June 7, 2017

Categories: Labour & Employment

Many employers have some form of bonus program to motivate employees to elevate their performance for the benefit of both the employer and the employees. When thoughtfully constructed and clearly…

Image for Alberta Government Proposes Sweeping Changes to Workplace Legislation

Alberta Government Proposes Sweeping Changes to Workplace Legislation

Authors: Walter Pavlic, Q.C., Jean Torrens, Adam Kaukas

Published: May 25, 2017

Categories: Labour & Employment

Following an abbreviated public consultation process (see our earlier blog post: Alberta Workplace Legislation Review: Call for Public Consultation) the Alberta Government has introduced a proposal to make sweeping changes…

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Dazed and Confused: The Medical Marijuana Challenge

Authors: Allan Foran, Carolyn Frost

Published: April 19, 2017

Categories: Labour & Employment, Transportation

The numbers might just make you sober. Health Canada reports that in the first quarter of 2014, there were 7,914 registered users of medical marijuana. Since that time, the rate…

Image for Electronic T4s and Privacy Considerations for Employers

Electronic T4s and Privacy Considerations for Employers

Authors: Kristél Kriel, Meghan McCreary

Published: April 13, 2017

Categories: Labour & Employment, Privacy

Authors: Meghan McCreary, Erin Wolff, Kristél Kriel Employers may soon be able to distribute T4 (Statement of Remuneration Paid) slips electronically to active employees without having obtained advance express consent from…