Labour & Employment
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May 31, 2024
SCC gives guidance on interpreting exclusion clauses, applying standards of appellate review
The Supreme Court of Canada has clarified what is required for an exclusion clause in a contract of sale to exempt the seller from an implied condition under Ontario’s Sale of Goods Act (SGA) and has also clarified what standards of appellate review apply when trial courts interpret contracts involving implied statutory conditions.
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May 31, 2024
Border unions to enter mediated talks with federal government as possible strike looms
Federal government representatives and union leaders representing about 9,500 workers with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will begin mediated negotiations on June 3 in a bid to avert a summer strike, with wage increases and early retirement among the sticking points.
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May 31, 2024
N.B. Crowns’ association warns of catastrophe if prosecutors go on strike
The president of an association representing unionized prosecutors in New Brunswick says it would be “catastrophic” if Crowns go on strike — as almost all of them have unofficially voted to do if a deal is not reached with the province.
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May 31, 2024
Cellphones in Ontario schools, the voice of the child, part three | Marvin Zuker
There is a significant perception gap between educators and students when it comes to the impact of social media on mental health. Too often, platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat are blamed for exacerbating students’ mental health problems.
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May 30, 2024
MPs call for automatic renewed work & study permits for Hong Kongers; 97.6% get permanent residence
The Commons citizenship and immigration committee has urged Ottawa to “immediately automatically renew open work permits and study permits” for Hong Kong nationals as they wait in Canada for their permanent resident applications to be decided by the immigration department, which has more than 10,000 applications awaiting disposition.
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May 30, 2024
RRSPs: Their consequences for estates, beneficiaries
A landmark budget speech was delivered to Canada’s House of Commons on March 14, 1957, by Walter Harris, minister of Finance under the Liberal government of Louis St. Laurent. Despite John Diefenbaker’s rise to power on June 10, 1957, mere months later, the groundwork was laid for the implementation of the registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) in Canada.
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May 30, 2024
Cellphones in Ontario schools, the voice of the child, part two | Marvin Zuker
On March 25, 2024, Florida became the first state to effectively bar residents under the age of 14 from holding accounts on services like TikTok and Instagram. The bill, effective January 2025, signed by Gov. Ron De Santis, prohibits certain social networks from giving accounts to children under 14 and requires the services to terminate accounts that a platform knew or believed belonged to underage users. It also requires the platform to obtain a parent’s permission before giving accounts to 14- and 15-year-olds.
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May 29, 2024
B.C. begins consultations to designate psychotherapy as regulated health profession
British Columbia is beginning consultations regarding proposed changes that would designate psychotherapists as a regulated health profession under the B.C. Health Professions Act. The province said that the move would increase patient safety and create more consistent care delivery for those accessing mental health services.
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May 29, 2024
Multiple powers of attorney for business owners
Estate planning discussions are often centred around a person’s will. While it is essential to consider what will happen to your business assets upon your death, it can be equally important to plan for a situation in which you are alive but incapable of managing your affairs. The sudden absence of a business owner without proper planning can have a significant impact on the continued success of the business. A power of attorney is a vital aspect of this planning.
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May 29, 2024
Cellphones in Ontario schools, the voice of the child: Both on silent | Marvin Zuker
According to Ontario Premier Doug Ford on April 30, 2024, “[I]t’s staggering numbers, the numbers I’ve seen with parents supporting the ban because they want their kids to go to school and learn — not to be on social media and fiddling around with their cellphones during class,” he said. “Outside of class, all the power to them. You can do whatever you want. But while you’re in learning, you’ve got to learn. The teachers want the kids to pay attention. It’s as simple as that. It’s not that complicated. Don’t use the phones.” (Toronto Star, April 30, 2024.)