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Carl Cunningham

Management-side Employment Lawyer

Partner

The 2025 Federal Budget proposes significant employment law changes, including restrictions on non-compete agreements and new measures to address worker misclassification and wage theft. Federally regulated employers should prepare for upcoming consultations in early 2026.

Federal Budget Proposals Affecting Employers

David Cassin

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s recent decision in Wigdor v Facebook Canada Ltd, 2025 ONSC 4051 provides helpful clarity for employers on two key issues: the enforceability of restricted stock unit (RSU) forfeiture provisions, and the legal threshold for awarding punitive damages in employment disputes.

Forfeiture Clause Upheld

Forfeiture Clause Upheld, Punitive Damages Denied: Favourable Takeaways for Employers

Brendan J. Weiler

Employment Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

On May 28, 2025, the Ontario government introduced <a href="https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-30">Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025</a> (Bill 30), representing the latest addition to a series of legislative initiatives that Ontario has seen introduced under the “Working for Workers” headline since October 2021.

Ontario Introduces Bill 30

Ontario Introduces Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025

Ontario has recently published regulations offering employers further details on the new amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) related to the hiring process. These changes were initially introduced under the Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 (Bill 149) and the Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 (Bill 190) as part of Ontario’s “Working for Workers” legislation series, which received Royal Assent earlier this year. We previously discussed these changes in our updates, <a href="https://www.bennettjones.com/Blogs-Section/More-Legislative-Changes-on-the-Horizon-for-Ontario-Employers">More Legislative Changes on the Horizon for Ontario Employers</a> and <a href="https://www.bennettjones.com/Blogs-Section/More-Legislative-Changes-for-Ontario-Employers">More Legislative Changes for Ontario Employers as Ontario’s Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent</a>. The regulations are accessible <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r24476?highlight=false&lang=en&option=%7B%22year%22%3A%22All%22%2C%22selection%22%3A%5B%22regulation%22%5D%7D&paging=%7B%22page%22%3A1%2C%22pageSize%22%3A50%2C%22sort%22%3A%22Newest%22%7D&searchMode=browse&searchWithin=%5B%22title%22%2C%22body%22%5D&searchWithinResult=false&selection=source+law&text=&trigger=1&useExact=false&withinResultSearch=" target="_blank">here</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r24477?highlight=false&lang=en&option=%7B%22year%22%3A%22All%22%2C%22selection%22%3A%5B%22regulation%22%5D%7D&paging=%7B%22page%22%3A1%2C%22pageSize%22%3A50%2C%22sort%22%3A%22Newest%22%7D&searchMode=browse&searchWithin=%5B%22title%22%2C%22body%22%5D&searchWithinResult=false&selection=source+law&text=&trigger=1&useExact=false&withinResultSearch=" target="_blank">here</a>.

New Regulations Regarding the Hiring Process Key Dates and Information for Ontario Employers

New Regulations Regarding the Hiring Process: Key Dates and Information for Ontario Employers

Christine Plante

Employment Lawyer | HR Legal Counsel

Sara G. Parchello

Tami Oguntona

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Calgary 

Articling Student 

Bill C-31 proposes significant amendments to the Canada Labour Code that would prohibit most post-employment non-compete clauses and potentially other employment-related restrictions in federally regulated workplaces. While the legislation has not yet been enacted, employers should begin assessing the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the limited exemptions available for certain business transactions and senior executive roles.

Restricting Covenants in Federal Workplaces

Proposed Updates to Canada Labour Code Expected To Prohibit Post-Employment Restrictive Covenants

Ruth E. Promislow

Privacy, Cybersecurity & AI Lawyer

Caroline Poirier

IT, Privacy & Data Protection Lawyer

Suzie Suliman

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate, Trademark Agent

The 2025 GPEN Sweep highlights growing global scrutiny of how digital platforms handle children&rsquo;s personal information, revealing increased data collection alongside limited safeguards. While improvements have been made in areas such as account deletion, significant gaps remain in effective age assurance, transparency, and protective design. The findings signal that regulators are likely to intensify guidance and enforcement efforts to better protect children&rsquo;s privacy online.

Global Privacy Sweep Highlights Growing Expectations for Childrens Privacy Online

Global Privacy Sweep Highlights Growing Expectations for Children's Privacy Online

Nina Butz

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Jackson Spencer

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

This article highlights recent decisions demonstrating courts&rsquo; strict approach to certifying privacy class actions in Canada. It shows how failures to establish an identifiable class, viable claims, or compensable harm can be fatal at certification. The rulings reaffirm courts&rsquo; gatekeeping role and signal continued challenges for plaintiffs advancing privacy-based claims.

Courts show Continued Commitment to Closely Scrutinizing Proposed Privacy Class Actions

Recent Decisions Reinforce Certification Challenges

Courts Continue Close Scrutiny of Privacy Class Actions

Emrys Davis

Competition & Antitrust Litigation Lawyer

Ana Nizharadze

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

This article examines the growing wave of drip pricing class actions following recent amendments to the Competition Act. It analyzes key Federal Court decisions that clarify how courts assess &ldquo;unattainable prices,&rdquo; fixed and obligatory fees, and damages at the certification stage. With several appeals and new cases underway, these rulings offer early guidance on how disclosure obligations may evolve in 2026 and beyond.

From First Price to Final Cost Drip Pricing Cases on the Rise

"Drip Pricing" Cases on the Rise

From First Price to Final Cost

Lukas VanDusen

Competition & Antitrust Lawyer | Foreign Investment

This article reviews the Competition Tribunal&rsquo;s first decision interpreting the new public interest standing provisions under the Competition Act. It establishes a three-part test for leave and emphasizes the need for a strong evidentiary record, including a viable litigation plan and demonstrated capacity to pursue complex claims. The decision underscores the Tribunal&rsquo;s gatekeeping role while providing guidance for future applicants and respondents.

Carl Cunningham Discusses Employers Accommodating Medical Marijuana Use

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