Legal Updates for Today's Workplace: Key Takeaways from Our Eastern Edition Webinar
June 19, 2025
TAP Network kicked off our Employment Law Summer Bootcamp Series yesterday with our annual Legal Updates webinar for Eastern Canada. Legal experts Donna D'Andrea (Hicks Morley) and Stephanie Pasternyk (Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg) shared insights on the changing legal landscape affecting tech employers.
Missed it? No worries! Here's what you need to know to keep your organization on track.
Ontario Working for Workers Act: Changes Coming July 1
As Donna put it, "in just a few weeks' time, there is an obligation on every employer to provide employees with information on their first day of work."
Starting July 1, Ontario employers must give new hires these details on or before day one:
- Your company's legal name (and operating name if different)
- Contact info (address, phone, contact names)
- Where the employee will initially work
- Starting wage/commission details
- Pay period and pay day
- General description of initial expected work hours
More details on the requirements here →
Pay Transparency: Get Ready for January 2026
If you have 25+ employees in Ontario, here's what's coming January 1, 2026:
- Job postings must say if they're for an existing vacancy or general posting
- Salary ranges must be included (max $50K spread between low and high)
- AI use in screening candidates must be disclosed
- Candidate follow-up required within 45 days of final interviews
- Records of job postings must be kept for 3 years
Pro tip: Roles paying over $200K are exempt from compensation disclosure.
Navigating Uncertain Times
US Business Travel Concerns
Trump's statements have many Canadian employees nervous about US travel. We discussed:
- Handling travel refusals
- Device privacy at the border
- Human rights concerns (gender identity on passports, etc.)
Key tip: "Employees are generally better off sharing their device, not refusing to provide the device to the border agent"
Tariff Impacts
While we're not seeing massive layoffs in Canadian tech due to tariffs (yet), caution is the word of the day. Our experts walked through the ins and outs of temporary and permanent layoffs in both Ontario and Quebec.
Creative Tech Union News
The gaming world saw a big shift with March's launch of the United Video Games Workers Union (UVW). Their approach is different:
- "Direct join" individual membership (vs. workplace certification)
- 1% wage contribution
- Industry-wide focus rather than targeting specific employers
Traditional unionization still follows the usual rules:
- Ontario: 40% card sign-up + majority vote
- Quebec: 50% + 1 membership for certification
When Off-Duty Goes On-Duty: The Metrolinx Case
The recent Metrolinx case is a wake-up call:
- Those off-duty social media conversations can become workplace issues
- You must investigate harassment complaints
- Once it enters the workplace, you can't ignore it
- Even if the complainant says "do nothing," you still have a legal duty to investigate
What's Next?
Keeping up with these changes is crucial for P&C leaders in Canadian tech. TAP Network is here to help you navigate it all!
TAP Network members: Don't miss the next event in our Employment Law Summer Bootcamp Series: Annual Legal Updates for Today's Workplace – Western Edition on June 25th.
Learn more about all the benefits of membership →
This blog post is for information only and isn't legal advice. Always check with your legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.