Labour & Employment
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August 06, 2025
Entering the U.S.: How it has changed
The process of entering the United States has undergone significant changes in 2025, shaped by executive orders, immigration enforcement priorities and a shifting national security agenda. Changes include heightened visa scrutiny, expanded travel restrictions and limitations, rising visa fees and updated entry regulations.
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August 06, 2025
Mitigating human rights risks in hiring and firing: A practical guide for employers
Hiring and termination are the two most consequential moments in the employee life cycle. These actions not only impact workplace culture and morale but can also carry significant legal liability for employers, particularly under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Too often, employers encounter human rights complaints not because of deliberate wrongdoing, but because of rushed decisions or a lack of understanding of legal requirements.
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August 05, 2025
Carney announces $1.25B program to boost softwood lumber industry
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans to spend more than $1 billion to boost the competitiveness of Canada's softwood lumber industry. The federal government will channel separate amounts of $700 million, $500 million and $50 million to respective areas of the sector to help it better withstand ongoing and increasing U.S. duties.
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August 05, 2025
Manitoba and P.E.I. sign MOU to enhance interprovincial trade
Manitoba and Prince Edward Island have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to improve internal trade and support the free movement of workers and businesses between the two provinces.
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August 05, 2025
Canada renews temporary aid for Palestinians unable to return home
Ottawa has extended the temporary “special measures” for Palestinians who are in Canada and unable to return home, which were first rolled out in December 2023.
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August 01, 2025
Canada faces 35% U.S. tariffs as trade tensions escalate, putting focus on CUSMA compliance
Canadian political and business leaders are charting divergent strategies to navigate the new reality of 35 per cent U.S. tariffs on goods not compliant with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), with responses ranging from calls for economic sovereignty to urgent pleas for small business relief.
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July 31, 2025
Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut sign MOU to create territorial trade zone
The governments of Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on “improving trade across the North.”
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July 31, 2025
Lay-off provision ≠ termination provision, rules Ontario court
In Taylor v. Salytics Inc., 2025 ONSC 3461 (Taylor), the Ontario Superior Court of Justice underscored that a temporary layoff provision in an employment agreement is distinct from a termination provision. The court emphasized a substance-over-form approach, holding that the enforceability of a layoff provision is independent from, and is not affected by, the validity of the agreement’s termination language.
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July 31, 2025
F1 exec Christian Horner’s exit from Red Bull through the lens of Canada’s employment law
Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, was officially “sacked” on July 9, 2025, only three days after the 2025 British Grand Prix. It was an unexpected move and took effect immediately. It marked the end of his 20-year tenure as team principal and CEO. No reason was given for Horner’s departure, so in Canadian employment law terms, he was dismissed without cause.
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July 30, 2025
Court of Appeal affirms secondary picketing part of labour dispute, to hear CUPW injunction appeal
The Ontario Court of Appeal has held that secondary picketing is a labour dispute activity under the Courts of Justice Act (CJA) and has agreed to hear an appeal from orders restricting the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) from picketing Purolator facilities in their dispute with Canada Post.