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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

Akhila Sandhu

Summer Student

Morgan Sutherland

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate 

Michael C. Smith

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The United Nations has adopted the first global regulatory framework for Automated Driving Systems, establishing safety, cybersecurity, testing and monitoring requirements for Level 3, 4 and 5 automated vehicles. This article examines the framework&rsquo;s implications for Canada, including how Transport Canada may incorporate the requirements into domestic vehicle safety standards and what manufacturers and suppliers should consider as regulation evolves.

First Global Regulatory Framework For Autonomous Vehicles

First Global Regulatory Framework For Autonomous Vehicles: Key Takeaways For Canada And The Auto Industry

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

The Supreme Court of Canada&rsquo;s decision in SS&amp;C Technologies Canada Corporation v. Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, 2026 SCC 29, revisits the doctrine of spoliation and confirms that courts must draw an adverse inference when intentional destruction of relevant evidence is established. The decision provides guidance on the test for spoliation, the scope of mandatory adverse inferences and the importance of preserving evidence during litigation.

The Supreme Court of Canada Affirms Mandatory Adverse Inference in Cases of Spoliation

The Supreme Court of Canada Affirms Mandatory Adverse Inference for Spoliation

Dominique T. Hussey

Chief Executive Officer and Intellectual Property Litigator, Pharma/Biotech and Trademark Lawyer

Chief Executive Officer

Vincent M. de Grandpré

IP Lawyer | Life Sciences & Tech

Emily P. Kettel

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner, Trademark Agent

In Pharmascience v. Janssen Inc., the Supreme Court of Canada reaffirmed that methods of medical treatment remain unpatentable subject matter under the Patent Act because they are directed to the professional skill and judgment of healthcare practitioners. At the same time, the Court upheld the patentability of the dosing regimen claims at issue, clarifying that not all therapeutic or treatment-related claims constitute unpatentable methods of medical treatment. The decision provides important guidance on assessing patent eligibility for pharmaceutical and life sciences innovations in Canada.

Supreme Court of Canada Reaffirms that  Methods of Medical Treatment are Unpatentable

Supreme Court of Canada Confirms That Medical Professional Skill and Judgment Are Excluded From the Patent Bargain

Evana Yukanna

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Ontario court denies a late class action opt-out request, reinforcing settlement finality and confirming prejudice can arise before court approval.

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt Out Request

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt-Out Request

Martin Ignasiak KC

Energy & Industrial Projects Lawyer

Head of Energy Regulatory

Tyler McDonough

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Logan Lazurko

Energy & Regulatory Lawyer | Environmental

On June 17, 2026, the Alberta Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed an appeal by Fort McMurray 468 First Nation challenging an Alberta Energy Regulator decision that the First Nation lacked standing to request regulatory appeals of approvals issued to AdhMor Ltd. for an oilfield waste management facility near Fort McMurray. The decision in Fort McMurray 468 First Nation v Alberta Energy Regulator, 2026 ABCA 197, offers important guidance on what it takes to get in the door at the AER.

Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms Cumulative Effects are no Substitute for Evidence

No Standing Without Specifics: Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms that Cumulative Effects are no Substitute for Evidence

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Employment Services Breakfast Seminar: Practical Strategies for Workplace Issues

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