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Brendan J. Weiler

Employment Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

Talia K. Bregman

Management-side Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

On October 28, 2024, Ontario's Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 (Bill 190) received Royal Assent. As Ontario’s fifth and most recent legislative initiative introduced under the “Working for Workers” headline, Bill 190 makes further changes to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

More Legislative Changes for Ontario Employers

More Legislative Changes for Ontario Employers as Ontario's Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent

Carl Cunningham

As you may have heard or read in our earlier blog, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bennettjones.com/Blogs-Section/More-Changes-to-Ontarios-Employment-Related-Legislation-Are-on-the-Horizon" target="_blank">More Changes to Ontario's Employment-Related Legislation Are on the Horizon</a>, the Ontario government introduced <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-79" target="_blank">Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023</a> in late March 2023. On October 26, 2023, Bill 79 received Royal Assent, introducing changes to Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and other employment-related legislation in Ontario. Below is an overview of certain of the more material changes that came into force under Bill 79 on October 26, 2023 and which provincially-regulated employers in Ontario will need to be mindful of moving forward.

Changes to Ontarios Employment Related Legislation Have Arrived

Changes to Ontario's Employment-Related Legislation Have Arrived

On October 1, 2023, the general minimum wage rate that applies to most provincially-regulated employees in Ontario will increase from $15.50 to $16.55 per hour.
The minimum wage rates for students, liquor servers, hunting and fishing guides, wilderness guides and homeworkers in Ontario will also increase on October 1, 2023. The Ontario Ministry of Labour has posted a list of these increased rates on its <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/minimum-wage" target="_blank">website</a>.

General Minimum Wage in Ontario will rise to 16 55 per Hour on October 1 2023

General Minimum Wage in Ontario will Rise to $16.55 per Hour on October 1, 2023

On March 20, 2023, the Ontario government introduced <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-79" target="_blank">Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, 2023</a>, which, if passed, will introduce changes to Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000 and other employment-related legislation in Ontario.

More Changes to Ontarios Employment Related Legislation Are on the Horizon

More Changes to Ontario's Employment-Related Legislation Are on the Horizon

Oliver Loxley

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Dom Sorbara

Banking & Financial Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

In the context of corporate debt, 'liability management' refers to a company taking steps to manage its existing debt obligations. This often involves a combination of one or more open market repurchases, redemptions/repayments, consent solicitations, tender offers or exchange offers and may involve other transactions. A repurchase of debt from a holder is one of the most straight-forward examples of liability management.

Liability Management in Canada

Andrew Bozzato

Corporate, M&A, Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Bishoy Attia

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Toronto

Articling Student

Private investment in the defence sector is accelerating as governments realign policy priorities and expand support for dual-use and DefTech innovation. Canada&rsquo;s 2025 Budget and long-term spending commitments are reshaping the industry, driving new opportunities across AI, cyber, space, advanced manufacturing and critical infrastructure. With global capital flowing into defence technology and structural reforms underway to modernize procurement, the sector is rapidly transitioning from fragmented to fully investable.

Policy Dual Use and DefTech Drive a New Era for Private Capital in Defence

Policy, Dual-Use and DefTech Drive a New Era for Private Capital in Defence

Daron K. Naffin

Energy, Environmental/Regulatory and Expropriation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Tim Myers

Regulatory, Environmental, Aboriginal and Expropriation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Thomas Machell

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

On November 4, 2025, the Alberta Energy Regulator released AERH2S, an updated version of its computer model for calculating Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) for sour gas applications. AERH2S replaces the longstanding ERCBH2S model and is available for immediate use by industry. According to AER Bulletin 2025-34, the use of AERH2S will become mandatory for all applications filed under Directive 056: Energy Development Applications and Schedules, including amendment applications, starting January 1, 2026. The continued use of ERCBH2S is permitted for updates to existing EPZs (and any EPZs established before January 1, 2026) under Directive 071: Emergency Preparedness and Response until further notice.

Alberta Energy Regulator Releases New AERH2S Model for Sour Gas Operations

David Cassin

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Doug Fenton

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Robert W. Staley

Commercial, Securities and Class Action Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Vice Chair and Partner

In McPherson v Global Growth Assets Inc., the Ontario Superior Court interpreted the no-reprisal provisions of the Securities Act for the first time, awarding more than $5.3 million to a CEO who was terminated after raising compliance concerns. The decision underscores the strength of the Act&rsquo;s protections for employees who engage in protected activities and highlights the significant risk to employers of taking disciplinary action without clear, documented justification.

Ontario Securities Act No Reprisal Provisions Results in 53 Million Award to CEO

Ontario Securities Act No-Reprisal Provisions Results in C$5.3 Million Award to CEO: A Warning to Regulated Employers

Edwin G. Kroft KC

Tax Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones

Antoine Messervier

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Anna Lekach

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

The November 2025 issue of Bennett Jones on Tax Disputes explores major developments in Canadian tax law, including new CRA guidance on the Voluntary Disclosures Program, court decisions on settlement confidentiality and costs, and proposed reforms to the Tax Court&rsquo;s informal procedure limits. The issue also features case summaries and insights from Bennett Jones&rsquo; tax litigators on emerging trends in tax dispute resolution.

Independent Diagnostic Clinics Association

From the Same Authors