On October 31, 2022, the B.C. government introduced Bill 41 – 2022: Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2022 (the “WCA Amendments”) proposing changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act (the “WCA”). The intent behind the WCA Amendments is to bring in a more “worker-centred” approach to B.C.’s workers’ compensation system. Below we discuss ...
On January 7, 2022, BC’s Provincial Health Officer once again directed all BC employers to implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan. This is part of the province’s response to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations fueled by the Omicron variant.
The legal requirement to a COVID-19 Safety Plan is not new to employers. Employers were required to put such a plan in ...
On July 1, 2021, B.C. moved into Step 3 of its COVID-19 Restart Plan. As part of this phase, B.C. employers are no longer required to maintain a WorkSafeBC approved COVID-19 Safety Plan. Instead, they are required to transition to a Communicable Disease Prevention Plan.
What is a Communicable Disease Prevention Plan?
It is a plan that outlines the steps an employer is taking to ...
Workplace harassment is once again in the news given our former Governor General’s resignation from her post after a 132 page investigation report was issued following accusations of a toxic work environment at Rideau Hall.
While the Government of Canada took the correct steps in hiring an independent investigator once the allegations surfaced, meeting with all ...
On November 24, 2020, British Columbia issued a Public Health Order requiring the use of masks in all public indoor spaces in the province (the “Order”). In this blog post, we answer some frequently asked questions posed by business owners and employers about the Order.
Mandatory Masking in Public Indoor Spaces
Masks are now mandatory in all “indoor public spaces” ...
On July 14, 2020, the British Columbia government introduced Bill 23 – 2020: Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020. Bill 23 responds to recent independent reviews of the workers compensation system in British Columbia and was developed following consultation with employers, labour stakeholders, and representatives of Indigenous organizations. If passed, Bill ...
This is the second in a two part series on ‘Returning the Workplace to Safe Operation’. This part deals with the renewed significance of existing OH&S requirements in the context of COVID-19. Before considering these OH&S requirements, we will first provide an update on Part 1 of this two part series issued on May 14, 2020.
Part 1: Updates on the requirement for a Safe ...
This is the first in a two part series on 'Returning the Workplace to Safe Operation. Part two will be posted on Tuesday, May 19.
Part 1: New occupational health and safety requirements to ensure your workplace is safe from the spread or introduction of COVID-19
Canadian provinces and territories are now beginning the gradual process of reopening the economy in the wake of ...
On April 30, 2020, WorkSafeBC announced it is moving forward with adding COVID-19 to the list of diseases for which there is a presumption of it being work-related. Employers will now have to rebut the presumption that a worker caught COVID-19 at work to have the claim denied. Addition to the list typically takes between 18-24 months, but WorkSafeBC is hoping to expedite and ...
The new year brings an opportunity for reflection on the past year with a view to making improvements moving forward. It is also a good time for British Columbia employers to undertake a required annual review of workplace bullying and harassment policies and procedures.
Under section 115 of the British Columbia Workers Compensation Act, employers have a general duty to ...
About Us
Lawson Lundell's Labour and Employment Law Blog provides updates on the most recent legal developments impacting the Canadian workplace and offers practical tips for employers. We cover a range of topics, including labour relations, employment law, collective bargaining, human rights, employment standards, employment equity, workers' compensation, business immigration, privacy, occupational health and safety and pensions and employee benefits.
Legal Disclaimer: The information made available on this webpage is for information purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on as such. Please contact our firm if you need legal advice or have questions about the content of this webpage.