Latest news in Legal issues

Employees suing Yale over fines for not participating in wellness program

Employees suing Yale over fines for not participating in wellness program

The American Association of Retired Persons Foundation and the law firm Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald and Pirrotti have filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of Yale…

Is sex addiction a disability employers must accommodate?

Is sex addiction a disability employers must accommodate?

A Nova Scotia arbitrator has ruled that sex addiction isn’t a disability that employers must accommodate, especially where the condition doesn’t affect the employee’s ability…

CUSMA’s data protection proposals for biologics could raise costs for private plans: PBO

CUSMA’s data protection proposals for biologics could raise costs for private plans: PBO

If the Canada-United States-Mexico trade agreement goes through it could have a significant impact on the cost of private drug plans. Currently on hold until…

Feds investing $2.7M in online tool for understanding workplace harassment laws

Feds investing $2.7M in online tool for understanding workplace harassment laws

The Canadian Women’s Foundation, AfterMeToo and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is receiving more than $2.7 million from the federal government to create an online…

Should employer-provided parking be considered a taxable benefit?

Should employer-provided parking be considered a taxable benefit?

The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that an airport parking pass provided to a flight attendant by a commercial airline is an employee benefit…

Is scrutiny on the rise for long-term disability claims?

Is scrutiny on the rise for long-term disability claims?

A recent RBC Insurance Services Inc. study found 45 percent of employees on disability claimed their workplaces pressured them to go back earlier than they…

Employers, insurers facing challenges as genetic testing grows in popularity

Employers, insurers facing challenges as genetic testing grows in popularity

Genetic testing is gradually growing in popularity as some employers adopt a more preventative benefits and wellness strategy. In its annual employee benefits report, the U.S.-based…

Copyright_millenius_123RF

B.C. government says expanding biosimilars will save nearly $100 million over three years

British Columbia is expanding its use of biosimilars, effective November 2019. The move is expected to create opportunities for new drug listings and increase current coverage for patients, according to…

WSIB appoints special advisors to review operations, best practices

WSIB appoints special advisors to review operations, best practices

The Ontario government is launching a review of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to ensure the province’s employees and their families remain supported and protected…

  • By: Staff
  • May 23, 2019 September 17, 2019
  • 15:00

Roll out of higher CPP costs expected to affect HR budgets for benefits, wages

It may not happen this year, or next year, or even the year after that. But sometime between now and 2025, Canadian employers will almost…

Foodora couriers attempting to unionize for better pay, benefits

Foodora couriers are leading an effort to join the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to negotiate with their employer for fairer pay and basic benefits. The Justice for Foodora…

The legal risks of drug plan design changes

The legal risks of drug plan design changes

Drug plan design changes are often unavoidable, whether they’re due to a carrier modifying contracts across the board or an employer looking to manage ballooning…

Government releases results of workplace harassment, violence consultation

More than half (54 per cent) of Canadians believe training around workplace harassment and violence should occur annually, while 28 per cent said it should…

  • By: Staff
  • May 1, 2019 November 30, 2020
  • 10:05

Has six months of legal cannabis changed the workplace?

Since recreational cannabis was legalized across Canada six months ago, related workplace problems have mainly been notable by their absence. “It’s been a surprising lack…

Health Canada moving to simplify generic drug approval process

Health Canada moving to simplify generic drug approval process

Health Canada has proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations that would make it easier for drug companies to get authorization to produce generic…

Settlement reached in Ontario age discrimination benefits case

Settlement reached in Ontario age discrimination benefits case

Following the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s decision in a landmark age discrimination case last year, former high school teacher Steve Talos has reached a…

Learn about first six months of legalized cannabis at 2019 Benefit and Pensions Summit

The conflation of medical and recreational cannabis can present challenges when it comes to workplace policies, says Gregory Clooney, a lawyer and senior legal consultant…

Ontario court grants appeal for employee in long-term disability case

Ontario court grants appeal for employee in long-term disability case

The Ontario Court of Appeal has ordered a full trial for an employee who sued for $300,000 in long-term disability benefits despite signing a document…

Feds settle class action, compensating 1,700 who became ill on parental leave

Feds settle class action, compensating 1,700 who became ill on parental leave

The federal government’s about-face in settling a multi-million dollar class action in the Federal Court of Canada means more than 1,700 individuals who become ill…

  • February 13, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
How will 2018’s employment law changes play out for employers in 2019?

How will 2018’s employment law changes play out for employers in 2019?

In 2018, several significant employment and labour law changes were rolled out across Canada, especially in Ontario, which saw a change of government in June. “These changes will…

Class action lawsuit alleges miscalculation of veterans’ disability pensions

Class action lawsuit alleges miscalculation of veterans’ disability pensions

Koskie Minsky LLP launched a class action lawsuit on Friday on behalf of all veterans who were in receipt of disability pensions or disability awards between…

  • By: Staff
  • January 28, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 15:15
Employers, insurers have role in managing benefits plan sustainability

Employers, insurers have role in managing benefits plan sustainability

While insurers are consistently providing innovative plan design options for employers, that doesn’t detract from the reality that it’s a difficult time for employers, according to…

Ex-firefighter with PTSD sues over suspended benefits, dismissal

Ex-firefighter with PTSD sues over suspended benefits, dismissal

A lawsuit filed by a former firefighter and paramedic against Syncrude Canada claims the oilsands giant wrongfully denied him benefits and fired him after he was…

Northwest Territories considering legislated domestic violence leave

Northwest Territories considering legislated domestic violence leave

The Northwest Territories is considering adding domestic violence leave legislation to its Employment Standards Act. “We have not yet determined what a potential domestic violence leave provision…

A 2018 roundup of the top legal cases in the benefits industry

A 2018 roundup of the top legal cases in the benefits industry

When considering the legal cases attracting the most attention from the pension and benefits industry in 2018, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal’s decision in Talos v.…