VIDEOS
ARTICLES
Ottawa Announces Three New COVID-19 Employment Benefits: CRB, CRSB and CRCB
BY: CHRIS DRINOVZ As the now infamous “CERB” comes to an end, the federal government has created three new temporary benefits aimed at supporting Canadians still unable to work or working less because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill C-4, the COVID-19 Response Measures...
Employer Obligations Regarding Time off Work for Voting: 2020 Provincial General Election
BY: CHRIS DRINOVZThe next BC Provincial General Election will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2020 (“General Voting Day”). Under the s 74 of the B.C. Election Act, employers have an obligation to provide voters with four consecutive hours free from work...
Constructively Dismissed Employee Awarded $1.1 Million For Bonus
SUPREME COURT OF CANDA TRIES TO CLARIFY VARIOUS LEGAL CONCEPTS BY: MIKE WEILER The Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) choses cases based on the importance of the legal principles the case evokes. Generally the role of our highest court is to correct errors of law in the...
Concerning New Case from Ontario Demonstrates the Importance of Well-Drafted Termination Clauses in the Employment Agreement
BY: JUNKI HONGIt is a fundamental principle of employment law that employees who are terminated without just cause are entitled under “common law” to reasonable notice of termination, or pay if the employer does not want to provide advance working notice. Depending on...
$5 Million Class Action Against Car Dealer Regarding Employees vs Independent Contractors Approved in Ontario
BY: MIKE WEILERChris and I are often asked by clients to advise on independent contractor agreements they wish to use for their senior salespeople or sales managers. Our advice is usually that such arrangements are fraught with danger as courts and tribunals will...
Proposed Changes To Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program
BY: CHRIS DRINOVZ On July 17, 2020, the federal tabled Draft legislation for more changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) program. In essence, the changes would make the program more accessible to businesses, introduce a two-part new subsidy system, and...
BC Introduces Streamlined COVID-19 Temporary Layoff Variance Application
Under the BC Employment Standards Act, the time period for a temporary layoff related to COVID-19 may be extended to a maximum of 24 weeks, ending on or before August 30, 2020. Employers who plan to recall employees on a date that falls after August 30, 2020 can now...
BC Government Proposes Costly Amendments to Workers Compensation System
BY: CHRIS DRINOVZ On July 14, 2020, the BC government tabled Bill 23, Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020. The proposed amendments are informed by Jeff Parr’s Consultation Report, which examined the recommendations from three earlier reviews completed in the past...
Uber Contract Struck Down as Unconscionable
BY: MICHAEL J. WEILERMore and more employers are requiring employees to sign employment agreements that in many cases significantly reduce employees’ rights or impose significant restrictions on their ability to compete after they leave their employer. As readers of...
Layoffs and Severance Pay
On June 25, 2020, the BC government decided to further extend the temporary layoffs provision in the Employment Standards Act to a maximum of 24 weeks, expiring on August 30, 2020: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020LBR0018-001174. Extending the temporary layoff...