ARTICLE · 17 JANUARY 2017

2016 In Review - A Look Back At The Top Cases And Key Legislative Changes That Impacted Your Workplace

CCPartners

Explore more from CCPartners

2016 featured many significant decisions and legislative changes impacting employers.

CanadaEmployment and HR

Author LinkedIn connections

2016 featured many significant decisions and legislative changes impacting employers. Over the course of the year, CCP blogged on these developments - here is a recap of our "top 10" cases and most significant changes along with links to the original blogs. Enjoy!

Top Labour and Employment Cases of 2016

Keenan v Canac Kitchens Ltd. 2016 ONCA 79: In January, the Ontario Court of Appeal provided guidance to employers on how to determine whether someone is an employee, independent contractor or somewhere in between. This case examined the significance of someone working exclusively for one employer in determining employment status. Going forward in 2017, employers should be cautious in relying on "contractor status" to avoid notice obligations on termination. Read more here.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

A Grain Of Federal Jurisdiction: SCC Clarifies Declaratory Power And Derivative Federal Labour Jurisdiction

CanadaEmployment and HR

2026 Federal Budget: Selected Pension And Registered Plan Measures

CanadaEmployment and HR

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Performance Management In The Age Of Harassment Complaints (Video)

CanadaEmployment and HR

Employees And Independent Contractors In Ontario: Key Differences

CanadaEmployment and HR

Aird & Berlis LLP

Guide Sur La Rémunération Des Hauts Dirigeants

CanadaEmployment and HR

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Employment and HR

Related Comparative Guides

Comparative Guide

Technology Outsourcing

Comparative Guide

Employee Incentives

See more popular content from

Employment and HR

Provincial Employment Law Update: Key Changes Impacting Employers In Québec, Ontario, And British Columbia

Keeping up with employment law in Canada used to be a marathon. Now, it's a sprint. For employers in Québec, Ontario, and British Columbia, a significant volume of new legislation...

CanadaEmployment and HR

New Regulations For Gig Workers In Ontario And British Columbia

Canada's gig economy continues to grow steadily, with nearly half a million Canadians now engaged in this type of work. Many businesses rely on this form of highly flexible labour...

CanadaEmployment and HR

Aird & Berlis LLP

Remembrance Day Becomes A National Holiday – But Still Not A Paid Holiday For Many Employees

Since the end of the First World War, Canadians have recognized November 11 as Remembrance Day, a day to honour members of our armed forces who have died in the line of duty.

CanadaEmployment and HR

McCarthy Tétrault

WorkSafeBC Proposes Changes To Laws Regarding Workplace Harassment And Violence

WorkSafeBC is proposing significant amendments to British Columbia's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation that would fundamentally reshape how employers address workplace harassment, violence, and psychological health. The proposed changes introduce expanded definitions, new prevention program requirements, and obligations to identify and control psychosocial hazards. These amendments could require most B.C. employers to substantially revise their existing workplace policies and procedures.

CanadaEmployment and HR

Remember...The 11th Of November? Remembrance Day Becomes A Legal Holiday

On March 1, 2018, An Act to amend the Holidays Act (Remembrance Day) received royal assent and became law.

CanadaEmployment and HR

New Pay Transparency Reporting Deadline Approaching For BC Employers

Starting November 1, 2026, BC's pay transparency reporting obligation expands to cover employers with 50 or more employees, significantly broadening the scope of the Pay Transparency Act and Pay Transparency Regulation (the "Act").

CanadaEmployment and HR

New Pay Transparency Rules In British Columbia

The Canadian province of British Columbia has introduced measures that prohibit employers from asking job applicants for pay history information.

CanadaEmployment and HR

Employment Update: Ontario Introduces Bill 105, The Protecting Ontario's Workers And Economic Resilience Act, 2026

On April 20, 2026, the Ontario government introduced Bill 105, known as the Protecting Ontario's Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026 (the "POWER Act"), for first reading.

CanadaEmployment and HR

Blaney McMurtry LLP

Bill C-39: Big Changes Are Coming To Federal Workplace Rules

The federal government has tabled Bill C-39, introducing sweeping reforms to the Canada Labour Code that will fundamentally reshape union negotiations, dispute resolution, and workplace enforcement for federally regulated employers. These changes, stemming from extensive public consultations with over 26,000 responses, grant new ministerial powers while expanding government enforcement capacity by 70% through the hiring of 100 additional health and safety officers.

CanadaEmployment and HR

Torkin Manes LLP

Safety Inspection Blitzes For Industrial And Construction Sectors

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced that inspectors will be conducting safety inspection blitzes, targetting the industrial and construction sector.

CanadaEmployment and HR

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP