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Latest from Canada in Focus
British Columbia increases minimum wage
Effective June 1, 2022, British Columbia’s minimum wage increased from $15.20 to $15.65 per hour, the fifth annual increase since 2018. According to the Government of British Columbia, a minimum wage of $15.65 per hour is the highest minimum
Reminder to Québec employers: Obligation to put in place an interim plan in matters of occupational health and safety, effective April 6, 2022
As a result of the amendments made under Québec’s Act to modernize the occupational health and safety regime (the “Act”), effective April 6, 2022, employers will have to adopt an interim plan on prevention and participation mechanisms.
Put in place
“It’s like déjà vu all over again!” Back to the workplace in BC
On February 16, 2022, British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer amended the January 20, 2022 Workplace Safety Order to eliminate the requirement that workers must be permitted to work from home to the extent feasible. This revision tracks the province’s easing
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (Ontario) releases instructions re-introducing stricter COVID-19 measures for businesses and social gatherings
On December 5, 2021, Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit issued instructions (the “Instructions”) pursuant to Ontario Regulation 364/20, Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step (the “Rules for
Government of Alberta implements mandatory masking and recommends employees continue to work from home
On September 3, 2021, new restrictions were announced by the Alberta Government in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Effective September 4, the following restrictions came into force throughout Alberta:
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces (except
BC’s Phase 3 Restart: Out with the old and in with the new?
Phase 3 of BC’s COVID-19 Restart Plan began July 1, 2021. Businesses are now able to increase capacity for customers and workers in workplaces, provided that they maintain measures to keep the public and employees safe.
To-date, such measures included
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation recognized as a new holiday for federally-regulated workers
On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation), received Royal Assent.
Bill C-5 recognizes a new federal general
British Columbia introduces paid sick-leave & increases minimum wage
Paid sick-leave
On May 20, 2021 the Employment Standards Amendment Act received Royal Assent. The newly passed legislation immediately provides up to three paid days of COVID-19 related sick-leave to British Columbia employees, and commencing January 1, 2022, will provide
Getting back to normal: BC’s restart plan 2.0 and your workplace
On May 25, 2021, BC’s COVID-19 “circuit breaker” measures officially expired as Premier John Horgan announced the government’s new four-step plan aimed toward returning to pre-pandemic life: “BC’s Restart”. Although tentative dates were set for each step of