Atlantic Employers’ Counsel – Summer 2013
DUE DILIGENCE
Generally, occupational health and safety legislation in Atlantic Canada, like other jurisdictions, requires employers to take reasonable precautions to ensure the health and safety of workers in their workplace.
INCIDENT RESPONSE
What will happen at your workplace if a serious incident or fatality occurs? Will your managers know how to respond?
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND RECENT CASES
Newfoundland & Labrador
Amendments to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Newfoundland and Labrador Act that can be read herewill establish a new occupational health and safety regime in offshore areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Nova Scotia
Amendments to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act received proclamation and will come into force on a future date.
Prince Edward Island
A change was recently made to the Prince Edward Island Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “PE OHS Act“) effective May 8, 2013. As a result, a prosecution for an offence under the PE OHS Act must now be commenced within two years.
New Brunswick
On June 1, 2014, significant amendments to the New Brunswick Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “NB OHS Act“) will come into force.
CANADA LABOUR CODE
Two recent cases prosecuted under the Canada Labour Code (the “CLC“) identify mitigation as a factor to take into consideration when sentencing and the importance of a safety culture at the workplace.
RECENT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PENALTIES IN ATLANTIC CANADA
Learn more about recent penalties throughout Atlantic Canada.
Archive
As many of you will now know, the Nova Scotia Government introduced legislation on Friday, December 6, 2013, amending provisions of the Nova Scotia Trade Union Act dealing with First Contract Arbitration. This client update sets out…
Read MoreIn a decision that will largely be of interest to international organizations that have been granted some type of immunity in Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has confirmed that international organizations enjoy immunity…
Read MoreThe Prince Edward Island (“PEI”) legislature has proposed changes to the PEI Human Rights Act to add “gender expression” and “gender identity” as new protected grounds of discrimination. First introduced on November 13, 2013 the…
Read MoreWe previously circulated a client update regarding contemplated changes to automobile insurance in Prince Edward Island. Government has now published a consultation paper (www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/eljautoinreform.pdf), seeking responses in writing on or before December 2, 2013. According to the consultation…
Read MoreThe Association of Caribbean Corporate Counsel (ACCC) released the inaugural edition of its quarterly journal, Caribbean Corporate Counsel, featuring CEO, John Rogers, Q.C., advisor on the International Advisory Board, and an article by partner Paul Smith, entitled “Governance…
Read MoreCHANGES, CHANGES AND MORE CHANGES: KEEPING UP WITH THE TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM These days, Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (“TFWP”) is more top of mind than ever for Canadian employers. This is in part…
Read MoreBy October 17, 2014 existing not-for-profit corporations incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act (the “Old Act”) are required to be continued under the new Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (the “New Act”) or face the possibility of automatic administrative…
Read MoreIN THIS ISSUE: Reasonable Cause: A necessary prerequisite for random alcohol testing policies by Mark Tector, Steve Carpenter, CHRP, Melissa Everett Withers, Ruth Trask Business Succession: Why is it critical? by Richard Niedermayer, TEP Privacy Please: Nova Scotia brings in new…
Read MoreOn May 19, 2011, Nova Scotia’s Labour Standards Code was amended to protect foreign workers from exploitation by recruiters and employers. These amendments imposed a requirement for third-party recruiters to obtain a license from the Province to…
Read MoreFacts This appeal arose from a decision which held that the Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (“Dominion”) has a duty to defend Larry and Lona Hannam and their teenage son Jordan in an action…
Read More