Labour & Employment Insights

Image for Saskatchewan to Increase Minimum Wage

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: Megan Kheong, Walter Pavlic, Q.C.

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: Brent Matkowski, Leah Schatz, Q.C.

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…

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

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…

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Electronic T4s and Privacy Considerations for Employers

Authors: Meghan McCreary, Kristél Kriel

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…

Image for Alberta Workplace Legislation Review: Call for Public Consultation

Alberta Workplace Legislation Review: Call for Public Consultation

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

Published: April 11, 2017

Categories: Labour & Employment

The Alberta Government has announced substantial reviews of Alberta's Workplace Legislation – the Employment Standards Code and the Labour Relations Code. This is the first review of these statutes since…