While the updating of workplace policies is often on an organization's to-do list, regular review of such policies frequently gets pushed aside for other more pressing tasks.
Depending on the jurisdiction in which your...more
A new Occupational Health and Safety Act (New OHSA) will replace the existing occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation in Alberta effective December 1, 2021. This bulletin sets out some of the noteworthy changes to...more
On April 21, 2021, the Alberta Government introduced and passed Bill 71: Employment Standards (COVID-19 Vaccination Leave) Amendment Act, 2021, which amends the Alberta Employment Standards Code to provide all Alberta...more
À une époque où les données sont de plus en plus précieuses, la protection des renseignements personnels confidentiels et la cybersécurité sont devenues des préoccupations prioritaires pour bon nombre de sociétés. De plus, le...more
In an era where data has become increasingly valuable, the protection of confidential personal data and cybersecurity has risen to the forefront for many corporations. The pace of data growth has been exponential, with...more
On July 29, 2020, Bill 32: Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, 2020 (Bill) received royal assent in Alberta. This Bill amends the Alberta Employment Standards Code (ESC) and Labour Relations Code (LRC). The...more
Dans le cadre d’actions collectives putatives déposées relativement à des questions liées à l’emploi dans le contexte de la pandémie de COVID-19, les demandeurs pourraient se buter à des obstacles procéduraux. En effet, dans...more
Putative class actions filed in connection with COVID-19 employment-related matters may face some obstacles in proceeding. Certain hurdles exist in the common law provinces in Canada that may prove insurmountable....more
From occupational health challenges to cyber risks, privacy and work-from-home policies, Blakes Employment & Labour lawyers Daryl Cukierman (Toronto), Natalie Bussière (Montréal), Birch Miller (Calgary) and Michael Howcroft...more
On April 6, 2020, the Government of Alberta announced the following temporary changes to Alberta’s Employment Standards Code (Code) to help employers navigate the unprecedented circumstances associated with the COVID-19...more
The Government of Alberta recently confirmed the changes it is implementing to Alberta's Employment Standards Code (Code) to provide job-protected leave as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please see...more
The COVID-19 virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, has been drawing a global response from governments across the world and the Alberta government is no exception. On Friday, March 13, 2020, Premier Jason Kenney...more
BACKGROUND -
On April 16, 2019, the United Conservative Party (UCP) won Alberta’s provincial election and went on to form a majority government. Several of the UCP’s campaign promises involved reversing changes made to...more
January 12, 2018 Alberta’s employment standards laws have changed significantly as of January 1, 2018. Among other things, periods of job-protected maternity and parental leave have been increased through the Employment...more
Alberta’s highest court has clarified the parameters of the law on random drug and alcohol testing and emphasized that courts and arbitrators alike should take a holistic approach to safety when examining the enforceability...more
On June 15, 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released its decision in Stewart v. Elk Valley Coal Corp. (Stewart). Stewart is a welcome decision for employers looking to improve and enforce alcohol and drug policies in...more
Significant changes to Alberta’s workplace laws are coming. On May 24, 2017, the Alberta government introduced Bill 17, the Fair and Family-friendly Workplaces Act (Bill 17), which proposes the biggest changes to Alberta’s...more
Alberta’s government is taking the pen to the province’s workplace legislation.
As announced on March 13, 2017, the Employment Standards Code (Employment Standards) and the Labour Relations Code (Labour Code) will be the...more
In Styles v. Alberta Investment Management Corporation (Styles), a recently released decision that has been eagerly awaited by employers and employees alike, the Alberta Court of Appeal (Court) clarified the law with respect...more
In an increasingly interconnected and digitized world, data breaches have become ever more common. The wealth of personal information that corporations have in their possession means that such breaches can occur in even the...more
Employers seeking to introduce random alcohol and drug testing in hazardous work environments have reason to be optimistic following the recently released decision in Suncor Energy Inc. v. Unifor Local 707A. Justice D.B....more
The devastating impact of the wildfire that continues to burn throughout northern Alberta has left those directly affected with unanswered questions relating to sources of income and financial stability. Many workplaces have...more