Publications

May 23, 2019

The countdown is on to protect your trademarks in Canada

A few weeks before the coming into force of the amendments to the Trade-marks Act, the following is a reminder of the actions you should consider taking before June 17, 2019 to protect your rights and save costs. Actions To Take Benefits Renew your registrations and classify your (…)

May 16, 2019

Amendments to the Pay Equity Act: What are the changes to expect?

On April 10, 2019, came into force several long-awaited amendments to the Pay Equity Act, which are mainly intended to improve the pay equity audit process. These amendments follow last year’s Supreme Court of Canada ("SCC") judgment1. We discussed these judgments in a previous bulletin. It should (…)

May 8, 2019

Bill 141 and divided Co-ownerships: What changes in insurance for co-owners?

On June 13, 2018, Bill 141, An Act mainly to improve the regulation of the financial sector, the protection of deposits of money and the operation of financial institutions (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”), received assent. This reform has a significant impact on certain laws governing the (…)

May 2, 2019

The 5 key factors to consider before becoming a franchisor

Our team is frequently consulted by entrepreneurs asking the following question: we want to franchise our business concept, so where do we start? One of the most common scenarios involves a very enthusiastic customer approaching the owner of a new business concept with some local success (such as a (…)

April 25, 2019

Disciplinary measures: What should employers do to reduce the risk of litigation?

As an employer, you may occasionally be required to impose disciplinary measures on problem employees. Handling such difficult situations requires an objective, planned approach so as to put an end to the misconduct and minimize the risk of litigation. To assist you in implementing your intervention (…)

April 11, 2019

Personnel placement and recruitment agencies : what are the constraints of the new regulation?

In June 2018, amendments made to the Labour Standards Act ("LSA") included additional obligations and responsibilities for personnel placement agencies and temporary foreign worker recruitment agencies (the "Agencies"). However, these amendments were only supposed to come into effect on the date (…)

March 28, 2019

“ Don't work here! ”: Employers' denigration may prove very costly

The Québec Superior Court has ordered a former employee to pay her employer $11,000 in moral and punitive damages because she posted defamatory comments about the company on Ratemyemployer.ca 1. In doing so, the employee contravened her loyalty obligations and the confidentiality and (…)

March 11, 2019

How to expand your franchise network in Quebec?

In the latest edition of the Franchise Voice magazine published by the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA), discover the article "Franchising in Quebec", illustrating some of the particularities that distinguish Quebec from other Canadian provinces in the Franchise industry. Whether you are a (…)

March 1, 2019

Once Upon a Time in the West: Redwater, its Trustee, and the Environmental Arm of the Law

In a decision handed down on January 31, 2019, the Supreme Court ordered that a bankrupt oil and gas company fulfil its obligation to reclaim abandoned oil wells before paying any creditors. This decision has since sparked conflicting reactions across the country: first, because it gives clear (…)

February 21, 2019

Recruitment: Why you need to prepare your interview questions?

During a job interview, an employer cannot ask questions that involve grounds for discrimination prohibited under the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms1 (the “Charter”), including the religion, marital status, or ethnic or national origin of a candidate. Simply asking such questions could result (…)

January 24, 2019

Open innovation: A shift to new intellectual property models?

“The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” This was said by Thomas Edison, known as one of the most outstanding inventors of the last century. Though he fervently used intellectual property protections and filed more than 1,000 patents in his lifetime, Edison understood the importance of using (…)

January 22, 2019

Is the duty of loyalty a limit to freedom of expression?

The right to freedom of expression is not absolute. It does not permit employees to comment on political events unrelated to their workplace at all times and an employer can intervene if an employee expresses his opinions at work and on social networks. An employer has the right to request that his (…)

December 12, 2018

Employer-sponsored holiday parties: What are you liable for?

Your guests have arrived and it’s time to give the toast! Are you ready to celebrate? December is undoubtedly the most festive month of the year. It’s a great opportunity for employers to thank their employees for the services rendered during the year, but also for employees to interact with their (…)