On August 17, 2021, Ontario announced that COVID-19 vaccination policies would be mandatory in high-risk settings, and the province’s exit from the Roadmap to Reopen would be put on hold.
On August 19, 2021, the City of Toronto announced that all members of the Toronto Public Service will be required to disclose and provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status by September 13, 2021.
British Columbia recently announced new public health requirements regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for those working at long-term care and seniors’ assisted living facilities.
A new federal minimum wage of $15 per hour applicable to federally regulated employees in the private sector was included in the Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1. The new wage rate will take effect on December 29, 2021.
On August 11, 2021, Ontario released new guidance providing updated recommendations for case, contact, and outbreak management of fully immunized and previously positive individuals in the province.
In a recent wrongful dismissal action, the court awarded the employee one month more than it would have otherwise because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on his ability to secure new employment and the degree of uncertainty it caused.
On July 30, 21, Ontario filed O. Reg. 541/21 (Regulation), which adds a new “Roadmap Exit Step” to the Rules for Areas at Step 3 of its Roadmap to Reopen (Roadmap).
Canada’s federal Pay Equity Act, which creates a proactive pay equity regime within the federal public and private sectors, will come into force on August 31, 2021.
On a motion for summary judgment in a wrongful dismissal action, the court awarded $25,000 in moral/aggravated damages because the employer breached the duty of good faith and fair dealing at the time of and following the employee’s dismissal.