Latest news in Legal issues

Four tips to help employers curb benefits fraud

Four tips to help employers curb benefits fraud

Group benefits are an invaluable tool most companies harness to attract and retain the best talent. For employees, they characterize a noble intent of care,…

Employers, benefits plans intervene in appeal over medical marijuana coverage

Employers, benefits plans intervene in appeal over medical marijuana coverage

A number of employers and benefits plans were in court this week in support of the Canadian Elevator Industry Welfare Trust Fund’s appeal of a…

Firefighter sentenced to six months in jail for benefits fraud

Firefighter sentenced to six months in jail for benefits fraud

An Ontario judge has sentenced a Toronto firefighter to six months in jail for benefits fraud. Bradley Evaschuk, 48, joined the Toronto fire service in…

  • By: Staff
  • September 8, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:54
Editorial: Navigating the marijuana minefield

Editorial: Navigating the marijuana minefield

The headlines this summer emphasized the negative: Almost half of employers aren’t ready for the legalization of recreational marijuana when it takes effect next year.…

  • By: Glenn Kauth
  • September 5, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
The impact of Ontario’s public drug program changes on private plans

The impact of Ontario’s public drug program changes on private plans

It has been a busy period for changes to public drug programs in Ontario, as the provincial government has been working on policies with the…

  • By: Karen Welds
  • September 5, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:52
Have your say: Will high pot prices, regulations push users onto benefits plans?

Have your say: Will high pot prices, regulations push users onto benefits plans?

As the federal government’s plan to legalize recreational marijuana next year moves ahead, there are still many challenges, including how pricing and taxation of the drug…

  • By: Staff
  • August 9, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
Many U.S. employers requiring same-sex couples to marry to receive benefits

Many U.S. employers requiring same-sex couples to marry to receive benefits

Employers in the United States are increasingly requiring employees with same-sex partners to legally marry in order for their partner to receive health-care benefits, according…

  • By: Staff
  • August 8, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:30
B.C. township gets another chance to argue for terminating workers on LTD

B.C. township gets another chance to argue for terminating workers on LTD

A B.C. municipality will get another chance to make its case for terminating three employees on long-term disability with no hope of coming back to…

  • By: Staff
  • July 24, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 16:05
Arbitrator highlights role of disability management process in ruling in worker’s favour

Arbitrator highlights role of disability management process in ruling in worker’s favour

In a reminder to employers to be diligent about using their own disability management processes before terminating an employee, an Alberta arbitrator has ruled against a company…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • July 24, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:53
Supreme Court won’t hear ex-Nortel employee’s appeal over disability benefits

Supreme Court won’t hear ex-Nortel employee’s appeal over disability benefits

The Supreme Court of Canada won’t hear an appeal from a former Nortel Networks Corp. employee who claimed her charter rights were violated over the…

  • By: Staff
  • July 21, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 13:31
Toronto benefits fraud probe takes a turn as new charges laid over city claims

Toronto benefits fraud probe takes a turn as new charges laid over city claims

The investigation into benefits fraud at the Toronto Transit Commission has taken yet another turn as police announce new charges involving claims submitted to the…

  • By: Staff
  • July 21, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:24
Court finds working notice moot for employee on medical leave

Court finds working notice moot for employee on medical leave

A recent decision by the Superior Court of Ontario has confirmed that working notice doesn’t count when an employee is away from work due to…

‘Sigh of relief’ as university professor’s firing for benefits fraud upheld

‘Sigh of relief’ as university professor’s firing for benefits fraud upheld

A labour arbitrator has served notice that employees who commit benefit fraud will have a hard time avoiding dismissal. Earlier this summer, arbitrator Eli Gedalof upheld…

Retention bonuses of $9.2M for key Sears Canada staff spark outcry

Retention bonuses of $9.2M for key Sears Canada staff spark outcry

Sears Canada’s plan to pay out millions in bonuses to keep executives and key staff on board while not paying severance to laid-off workers is…

Sears Canada agrees to continue special payments to DB plan, retiree benefits

Sears Canada agrees to continue special payments to DB plan, retiree benefits

Sears Canada Inc. has reversed course and will continue to make special payments to its defined benefit pension plan and provide post-employment benefits plans until…

WSIB, Ontario sued over treatment of chronic mental stress claims

WSIB, Ontario sued over treatment of chronic mental stress claims

Two groups that represent injured workers in Ontario and a former Ottawa employee have launched legal proceedings against the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board and…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • July 5, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 15:53
Employers urged to prepare for Saskatchewan insurance tax

Employers urged to prepare for Saskatchewan insurance tax

Employers with staff in Saskatchewan will see their insurance premiums rise by six per cent this August due to a new tax introduced by the…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • June 28, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 16:30
Ontario’s response to workplace review includes paid personal leave

Ontario’s response to workplace review includes paid personal leave

The Ontario government has responded to the Ministry of Labour’s report on workplace standards with a number of proposed changes, including introducing paid personal emergency…

  • By: Staff
  • May 30, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 10:30
Six practical considerations for medical marijuana coverage in ASO plans

Six practical considerations for medical marijuana coverage in ASO plans

The health benefits industry finally has something sexy to talk about: medical marijuana. The issue is far and away the most popular topic of discussion…

  • May 26, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:20
Alberta proposes family-friendly workplace legislation

Alberta proposes family-friendly workplace legislation

Alberta has published proposed amendments to the province’s employment standards code and labour relations code that would support family-friendly workplaces and bring the province’s standards…

  • By: Staff
  • May 25, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 10:45
Alberta expected to introduce new workplace legislation next week

Alberta expected to introduce new workplace legislation next week

The Alberta government says legislation to overhaul workplace rules could come as early as next week. Government House Leader Brian Mason says it’s “pretty likely”…

Aggravated damages overturned in benefits communications case

Aggravated damages overturned in benefits communications case

A B.C. company has scored a partial victory in its battle against a ruling that ordered it to pay $90,000 in damages to an employee…

  • By: Staff
  • May 16, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:41
AIMCo case shows legal pitfalls of long-term incentive plans

AIMCo case shows legal pitfalls of long-term incentive plans

In 2010, David Styles moved to Alberta from Ontario to work as vice-president of relationship investments for the Alberta Investment Management Corp. While the decision…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • May 9, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:47
Uber subsidizes benefits for U.K. drivers

Uber subsidizes benefits for U.K. drivers

Uber drivers in Britain are now eligible for certain employee benefits. After completing 500 trips, active drivers can join the Association of Independent Professionals and…

  • By: Staff
  • May 2, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 10:24
Salaried employees, retirees approve Stelco’s restructuring plan

Salaried employees, retirees approve Stelco’s restructuring plan

The majority of salaried retirees and employees, along with unsecured creditors, voted in favour of Stelco Inc.’s restructuring plan in meetings on Thursday afternoon. Under…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • April 28, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:45