Publications
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New Labour Standards: Leave for Reservists, the Concept of Cohabitation and the new Advance Notice for Paternity Leave
Various changes were recently made to the Act respecting labour standards essentially applicable to the following:* the introduction of a new type of authorized leave for employees who are also reservists of the Canadian Forces;* the clarification of the concept of spousal cohabitation with regard (…)
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The Anastasia Act: Implications for School and Health Networks
The Act to protect persons with regard to activities involving firearms and amending the Act respecting safety in sports was assented to on December 13, 2007 and came into force on September 1, 2008. This Act was passed in the wake of the tragic events that occured at Dawson College in September (…)
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The Commission des Relations du Travail has Exclusive Jurisdiction to Hear Complaints Made Under Section 124 of the Act Respecting Labour Standards
On June 2, 2008, following the hearing of six cases at the same time, the Quebec Court of Appeal ruled that section 114 of the Labour Code grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Commission des relations du travail to hear complaints made under section 124 of the Act respecting Labour Standards.Despite (…)
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CSST Assessments and Third-Party Fault
Many employers are rightly concerned about the significant amounts they are required to pay to the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail in respect of employment injuries sustained by their employees.The general rule underlying the financing system of the regime is that the cost of (…)
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The Hydro-Québec Case: The Supreme Court Confirms That There are Definitive Limits to an Employer's Duty to Accomodate
On July 17, 2008, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered a unanimous judgment setting aside the ruling by the Quebec Court of Appeal and affirming that the employer had fulfilled its duty to accommodate in the case of Hydro-Québec v. Syndicat des employé-e-s de techniques professionnelles et de bureau (…)
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The Transpavé Inc. Case: a Quebec Company Pays for its Negligence
On March 17, 2008, the Court of Québec fined Transpavé Inc. $110,000 after it pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal negligence causing the death of one of its employees. This is a first in Canada since the Criminal Code was amended so that an organization could be found guilty of criminal (…)
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Labour Shortages and Foreign Workers
Difficulties in recruiting skilled employees and the labour shortage in some sectors are currently a source of headaches for many businesses. In this context, one solution may be to consider hiring foreign workers. In a press release published in September 2007, the Fédération des chambres de (…)
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The Court of Appeal Rules on the Validity of an Alcohol and Drug Detection Policy in Light of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
On December 6, 2007, the Quebec Court of Appeal declared that part of Goodyear’s alcohol and drug detection policy implemented in its Valleyfield plant in the summer of 2004 was valid. The Court of Appeal’s judgement maintained in part a decision rendered on April 21, 2006 by the (…)
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New Labour Standards: Authorized Absences due to a Criminal Offence, the Disappearance of a Child or the Suicide of a Close Relative
The Act respecting labour standards (hereinafter the "ALS") was amended recently concerning absences due to sickness or accident and absences for family or parental reasons. In particular, these amendments include the employee’s right to be absent from work for a period ranging (…)
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Can Last Chance Agreements and the Duty to Accommodate Live Side-by-side?
A last chance agreement is an arrangement entered into between an employer, an employee with serious and persistent behavioral problems and, where applicable, the union, that gives the employee a final chance. Such an agreement imposes strict conditions to be met by the employee in order to maintain (…)
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December 13th is coming up fast! Is your pension committee ready?
December 13th is coming up fast! Is your pension committee ready?
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Recent Amendments Concerning the National Holiday: Enactment of Bill 10 and its Impacts on Certain Employers
Recent Amendments Concerning the National Holiday: Enactment of Bill 10 and its Impacts on Certain Employers
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Bill 30: Is your pension committee ready for December 13, 2007?
The countdown has begun! Have the governance rules for your pension committee been set out in an internal by-law? If not, there's no time to lose! The deadline is December 13, 2007.In the wake of the increasing number of lawsuits in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada involving the responsibilities of (…)