Labour Ministers Endorse Fast‑tracking Harmonization of OHS Training
Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial labour ministers have approved an accelerated plan to harmonise key construction occupational health and safety (OHS) training programs. The workplan targets portable credentials, with Working at Heights and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms training standardised by Jan 1 2027 and other high‑risk modules slated for rollout by May 2027. The initiative supports labour mobility, infrastructure projects and a federal‑provincial effort to curb worker misclassification in the trucking sector. It also dovetails with Canada’s push to ratify ILO Convention C155 and launch an Occupational Exposure Registry.
Should HR Tie Remote‑work Decisions to Fuel Prices?
Rising gasoline prices in western Canada—averaging about C$2 per litre (roughly $4.6 per US gallon)—are prompting unions such as CAPE and BCGEU to press the federal and provincial governments for permanent work‑from‑home options. Employers see remote work as a quick,...
AI, Honesty and Hiring: The Latest Legal Hazards for Canadian Recruiters
Ontario’s new Working for Workers package forces employers to list salary ranges and disclose any AI tools used in screening, turning job postings into a compliance checkpoint. The rules are prompting firms nationwide to adopt the stricter Ontario standards as...
Bus Driver’s Human Rights Case Revived After WSIB Appeal
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) has reactivated a long‑dormant discrimination case filed by bus driver Richmond against MVT Canadian Bus Inc. and driver Aman Gill. The claim alleges disability and sex discrimination under Ontario’s Human Rights Code and was paused...
Labour Force Survey: Understanding the Numbers
Canada’s labour market stalled in March 2024, with employment rising by just 14,000 jobs and the employment rate holding at 60.6%, while the unemployment rate remained at 6.7%. Despite the flat job picture, average hourly wages jumped 4.7% year‑over‑year to...
TC Energy Sues Former Real Estate Director for $3 Million
TC Energy Corp., a leading North American energy‑infrastructure firm, has sued former land‑transactions manager Rick Urbanczyk for allegedly diverting at least $2.57 million Canadian (≈$1.9 million USD) in rebates and taking undisclosed commissions. The lawsuit also seeks $500,000 Canadian (≈$370,000 USD) in...
The Township, the Baker and the Furniture Maker
Ontario’s Court of Appeal heard Baker v Van Dolder’s Home Team and Li v Wayfair Canada, two pivotal cases that focus on whether the phrase “at any time” in a termination clause renders the provision unenforceable. The decisions follow a...
Deputy Minister Found to Have Broken Conflict-of-Interest Rules
The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner concluded that former IRCC deputy minister Christiane Fox breached Canada’s Conflict of Interest Act by actively championing the hiring of her university acquaintance Björn Charles. Fox pushed for a senior PM‑04 role despite the candidate’s...
Natural Disasters: Canada Launches Measures to Support Workers
Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced special immigration measures for temporary residents affected by natural disasters, effective April 1 2026 through November 30 2028. The program extends the restoration window to six months, allows status extensions beyond the usual 90‑day limit, and...
Collective Agreement: Coram Deo Inc.
Coram Deo Inc. and Liunal Local 183 reached a three‑year collective agreement covering superintendents, maintenance workers, handymen, janitors and cleaning staff, effective Feb 1 2026 through Jan 31 2029 and signed on March 20 2026. The contract adds a comprehensive holiday schedule, tiered vacation accrual up...
Collective Agreement: Integral Energy Services
The Construction Workers Union (CLAC Local 63) and Integral Energy Services have signed a collective agreement effective March 1, 2026 through March 4, 2028. The contract adds twelve paid holidays, 1.5 × overtime pay, mileage reimbursement of $0.93 per kilometre beyond 55 km, and a $33 daily...
How Is AI Killing Jobs – While Software Hiring Is Surging?
Despite headlines that AI will eliminate tech jobs, software‑engineer openings have surged, doubling since mid‑2023 and rising about 30% year‑to‑date. Experts say generative AI is automating routine coding tasks that once defined junior roles, forcing employers to demand broader system‑level...
3 Million Messages: Is Your Workforce Using ChatGPT to Check Their Pay?
U.S. workers are sending roughly three million daily ChatGPT messages asking about wages, compensation benchmarks and role‑specific pay. The surge coincides with new pay‑transparency legislation in Canadian provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia that force employers to disclose salary...
Arbitrator Orders Retirement Home to Overhaul Wage Grid After Rates Dip Below Minimum Wage
An Ontario arbitrator ruled that Richmond Hill Retirement Residence must revamp its wage grid after starting rates for dishwashers and dining attendants fell below the province's minimum wage. The board approved a 3.5% general wage increase for both 2023 and...
The ‘Dark’ Side of Hiring: Behavioural Traits of Self-Advancing Managers
University of British Columbia researchers found that managers who prioritize personal advancement are more likely to hire and promote employees with dark‑triad traits. The study, published in the Journal of Managerial Psychology, shows that when leaders have high agentic goal...
Ontario Moves to Expand Injury Coverage Under WSIB
Ontario’s government has tabled legislation to extend Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage to private residential care, retirement homes and group homes, adding roughly 29,000 frontline care workers to the safety net. The move would standardize protections for personal...
Did Coaching Letter Add up to Discrimination?
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario dismissed a disability discrimination claim worth $2.5 million CAD (≈$1.9 million USD) filed by a wastewater system operator against the Regional Municipality of Niagara. The claim centered on a non‑disciplinary coaching and counselling letter issued after...
Survey Shows Average Pay Increase in Canada for Last 12 Months
A new H&R Block Canada survey of 1,545 workers finds 60% received a pay raise in the past year, averaging 4.3% (4.9% for men, 3.7% for women). Yet 74% say annual raises are no longer the norm, and 83% believe employers...
Early Retirement, Tough Choices: Ottawa’s ERI Not an Easy Option
The Canadian federal government launched the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI), letting eligible public servants retire up to five years earlier without the usual 5% pension reduction. Applications are open until July 24, 2026, and the program runs from March 26,...
Controversy over Kara Ford Pay Raise Highlights Risks of Perceived Nepotism
Ontario’s premier Doug Ford’s daughter, Kara Ford, received a 33.9% salary increase at Runnymede Healthcare Centre, rising from $157,884 CAD (~$116,800 USD) to $211,468 CAD (~$156,500 USD) within a year. The raise, disclosed in the provincial Sunshine List, ignited a wave of criticism online,...
B.C. Moves to Speed up Employment Standards Complaints
British Columbia is introducing amendments to the Employment Standards Act and the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act aimed at accelerating the resolution of workplace complaints. The changes require employers to deposit the amount owed before filing an appeal, make early‑resolution...
Changes to LMIA Focus on Youth Hiring, Job Postings
Effective April 1, 2026, Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program will require employers filing a Labour Market Impact Assessment for low‑wage roles to post the vacancy for at least eight consecutive weeks and to demonstrate concrete youth‑targeted recruitment. The government also maintains sector‑specific...
Ontario Labour Board Refuses to Reopen Withdrawn Reprisal Case
The Ontario Labour Relations Board denied a former Triple M Metal worker’s request to reopen a withdrawn Section 50 occupational health and safety reprisal claim. The worker alleged a senior HR representative made threatening statements that prompted his June 2025 withdrawal, but the...
Ontario Court Narrows Pizza Nova Driver Class Action
Ontario’s Divisional Court largely upheld the certification of a class action by Pizza Nova delivery drivers who claim they were misclassified as independent contractors, confirming that the employment‑status issue can be tried as a common question. However, the court struck the...
Alberta Ruling Shows How 1 Week's Employment Can Make Big Difference to Termination Pay
Alberta’s Employment Standards Appeals Board affirmed an officer’s order granting a former Landale Signs account manager only two weeks’ termination pay of about $2,020 USD and rejecting his claim for four weeks and unpaid commissions. The decision hinged on a one‑week...
Montreal to Require White‑collar Staff in Office 3 Days a Week
Montreal will require white‑collar employees to work in the office at least three days a week, aiming to revive downtown activity after office attendance fell to 2.79 days per week and vacancy rose to 18.6%. The city estimates the current...
Executive Finds Lying on His Resume Can Add up to Just Cause
An Alberta vice‑president falsely claimed an ongoing MBA and was dismissed after 6.5 months when his lack of Excel expertise and credential fraud surfaced. The court ruled the misrepresentation went beyond a simple error, constituting a breach of trust that...
From ‘Reply All’ to Exhibit A: Email Risks for Employers
British Columbia’s Supreme Court invalidated a suspension of the Alberta Cricket Association that was executed solely through an email chain, deeming the process oppressive and procedurally flawed. The decision highlights that email votes cannot replace formal board meetings when bylaws...
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Enter This Year’s 5-Star DE&I Employers
The 5‑Star DE&I Employer program invites organizations committed to diversity and inclusion to submit for a 2026 award. Companies must gather enough confidential employee feedback and achieve an average satisfaction score of at least 80 percent. Those that meet the...
Driving School Penalized for Firing Injured Instructor
A New Brunswick labour board ruled on Jan. 8, 2026 that Versatile Training Solutions illegally terminated commercial‑vehicle instructor Evan Theriault after his concussion symptoms resurfaced, ordering the company and its manager to pay $22,440 (≈ $16,400 USD) in damages. The board found the employer’s refusal...
Expert Highlights High Importance of Microcredentials Amid AI Boom
HR leaders are urged to adopt microcredentials as a rapid upskilling solution amid the AI-driven acceleration of job requirements. Expert Trish Matthews highlights that traditional degree programs lag behind current industry needs, recommending two to three short, competency‑focused courses per...
Ontario Confirms Hike to Minimum Wage for October
Ontario announced its general minimum wage will increase from $17.60 CAD (≈$13.02 USD) to $17.95 CAD (≈$13.30 USD) on Oct. 1, 2026, a 35‑cent rise tied to a 1.9 % CPI adjustment. The hike benefits more than 700,000 workers, adding roughly $728 CAD (≈$538 USD) to annual earnings for...
Is a ‘Genuinely Held’ Political Belief Enough for a Vaccine Exemption?
The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal dismissed a registered nurse's challenge to a COVID‑19 vaccine mandate, ruling that a vague medical note does not constitute a protected disability and that a genuinely held political belief does not exempt compliance with...
OC Transpo Broke Hiring Rules for Managers: Report
Ottawa’s auditor general released a report revealing that OC Transpo repeatedly bypassed its own hiring rules for senior management positions. The investigation identified ten violations where permanent or long‑term temporary vacancies were filled by appointment, seven of which involved candidates lacking...
‘Crushed’ Federal Manager on the Hook for Payroll Transition Error
A Public Services and Procurement Canada manager discovered a phantom "ghost cheque" that led the department to label her as overpaid by roughly $2,350 USD. Instead of correcting the error, PSPC began clawing back the amount with automatic $365 USD...
Amid Surging Fuel Prices, Canadian Unions Call for WFH Options
Canadian unions, led by CAPE and BCGEU, are urging federal and provincial governments to expand work‑from‑home options as gasoline prices spike amid the Middle East conflict. They cite the International Energy Agency’s recommendation that remote work can curb oil demand,...
Is Musk Right, Is It All About the Interview?
Elon Musk recently urged leaders to base hiring decisions on whether an interview sparks a “wow” reaction within the first 20 minutes, downplaying résumés. HR scholars from Canadian institutions argue that such gut‑feel, unstructured interviews are unreliable, prone to bias,...
Combatting Hate Act: What Employers Should Know
Bill C‑9, the Combatting Hate Act, cleared the House of Commons and moved to the Senate, where further amendments remain possible. The legislation expands Canada’s Criminal Code with new hate‑speech offences and removes the existing religious‑exemption clause. Legal scholars warn...
Ottawa Opens up Applications for Early Retirement Program
The Treasury Board has opened applications for a time‑limited Early Retirement Incentive, allowing eligible federal employees to retire immediately with full pension benefits. The program, part of Budget 2025’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review, is designed to achieve a 10 % reduction—about 40,000 positions—in...
WestJet Flight Attendant Reported ‘Imminent Risk’ of New Seating Configuration: Report
A WestJet flight attendant submitted a five‑page safety hazard report on Dec. 5, 2025, warning Transport Canada that the airline’s newly densified 180‑seat cabin posed an imminent risk. The report detailed a Nov. 29 flight where a large passenger became physically trapped...
Sunshine List: Top HR Leader Earned $573,000 in 2025
Ontario’s 2025 sunshine list shows human‑resources executives as some of the highest‑paid public‑sector officials, with top earners pulling roughly $350,000‑$425,000 USD. University of Toronto professor Glen Whyte leads at about $424,000 USD, while OPG’s senior VP of HR, Cynthia Domjancic, earns near $403,000 USD....
It’s Been an Absolute Privilege
In the Geopro case, a former employee sued an employer for $150,000 CAD (≈$110,000 USD) after the employer alleged the ex‑employee gave false statements to the Professional Geoscientists Association of Ontario. The court ruled the employee’s testimony was protected by absolute privilege,...
If a Union Rep Faces Criminal Charges, Can They Be Banned From Meetings?
On March 6, 2026 the Ontario Labour Relations Board ruled that the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) overstepped by refusing to sit with a union representative charged but not convicted. The board affirmed Article 1.07 of the collective agreement, allowing the representative...
Cafe Worker’s Claim for Tips Rejected
An Ontario Labour Relations Board decision on March 6, 2026 rejected a cafe worker’s claim for tip inclusion, holding that the Employment Standards Act gives employers discretion to determine which employees participate in tip pools. The board distinguished between “withhold” (full capture...
Are Online Platforms Destroying Networking?
A recent Express Employment survey of 504 Canadian hiring managers and 502 job seekers finds networking is increasingly viewed as a business transaction. Seventy percent of managers and 76% of candidates say online platforms make interactions feel more transactional, while...
‘Do You Want some Privacy with That?’
Burger King, via Restaurant Brands International, will deploy an AI‑powered voice assistant called “Patty” in Canadian restaurants after a U.S. pilot in 500 locations. The headset listens to employee‑customer interactions, offering real‑time coaching, task prompts and performance data. While executives...
Union Drives and Front-Line Managers: Lessons From No Frills Case
The Alberta Labour Relations Board ruled on a No Frills franchise, dismissing a complaint against Loblaw but allowing claims against the franchisee for manager conduct during a union drive. The decision highlights that front‑line managers’ actions—such as shift reductions and union‑related...
$115,000 in Damages for Wrongful Dismissal Reversed by Court of Appeal
The New Brunswick Court of Appeal overturned a trial award of $115,240 in damages to former VIC Progressive Diamond Drilling president Laura Araneda, finding her dismissal was justified. The court highlighted her secret launch of a competing firm, diversion of...
$24,500 Awarded to Dependent Contractor
Ontario’s Divisional Court upheld a $25,436 judgment for a former general manager of Canada Suites, confirming his status as a dependent contractor after seven years of near‑exclusive work. The court rejected Canada Suites’ appeal on all four grounds, including alleged...
Harley-Davidson, Epic Games and Algoma Steel Slash Jobs as Economic Pressure Bites
Harley-Davidson announced a global reduction in force as it battles a 12% drop in bike sales and a $67 million tariff hit under new CEO Artie Starrs. Epic Games disclosed plans to cut more than 1,000 positions, targeting $500 million in savings...