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COVID-19 Temporary Layoff Rules to Expire September 4, 2020 for Provincially Regulated Workers

August 21st, 2020 by Josephine McCready | Posted in COVID-19, Employment Law

As part of its efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government changed the rules on temporary employment layoffs as well as temporary reductions of hours and salary. The rule changes were to stay in effect only for the duration of the COVID-19 period, defined as the duration of Ontario’s pandemic-related state of emergency,…

Continuing Power of Attorney for Property – Part 2: Spending the Incapable Person’s Money

August 14th, 2020 by John Grant | Posted in Estate Planning

Introduction In my most recent blog, I described the duties of a person who is appointed Attorney under a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property (“POAP”). Not only is it critical for an Attorney under a POAP to know her/his duties which the law imposes, but the importance of understanding the limits the law places…

Set the Rules Early: Why You Should Get a Shareholders Agreement

August 5th, 2020 by Bob Bell | Posted in Business Law

You have come to an impasse with your business partner, or have decided to proceed with a buyout of their shares, or maybe you’re dealing with the tragedy of a business partner passing away. When you bring that issue to a corporate lawyer, one of the first questions they’re going to ask about your business…

Layoff and Early Termination of Contract Employment

July 16th, 2020 by Stanford Cummings | Posted in COVID-19, Employment Law

Workers that have been laid off from their position under a fixed term contract of employment before the end date of the contract may be unaware of their rights and entitlements to recover damages or unpaid wages from their former employer. Layoffs related to business reasons are “incompatible with fixed term hiring” and generally cannot…

Are Ontario residents covered under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule if they have an accident involving an off-road vehicle outside of Ontario?

July 8th, 2020 by Teena Belland | Posted in Litigation, Personal Injury

In October of 2019, the Court of Appeal released its decision in Benson v. Belair Insurance Company Inc. This was two appeals heard together involving different parties and accidents but with a common issue. Both cases involved Ontario residents who were operating off-road vehicles (an ATV and a dirt bike) outside of the Province of…

Are You Acting Under a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property?

July 3rd, 2020 by John Grant | Posted in Estate Planning

Are you acting under a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property? If so, you may want to read this. Introduction: An overarching principle which applies to you as Attorney is to act so as not to do or omit to do anything that would harm the person who appointed you (the grantor) and for whom…

If You Can’t Who Can? – Making Decisions About Your Health Care

June 19th, 2020 by John Grant | Posted in COVID-19, Estate Planning

Current events have brought attention to the importance of understanding how Ontario law provides for others to make decisions on behalf of loved ones who are no longer able to do so concerning their health care, including as they face the end of life. What is a Substitute Decision Maker? Under the governing law in…

Hockey Injuries

May 22nd, 2020 by Stanford Cummings | Posted in Litigation, Personal Injury

The idea that a hockey injury caused by rough play may give rise to legal action is likely a foreign concept to most Canadians who grew up around the game. Hockey is an occasionally dangerous sport and is often played by tough competitors. As such, some degree of risk and the potential of injury is…

Financial Supports for Businesses Struggling with COVID-19

May 6th, 2020 by Bob Bell | Posted in Business Law, Corporate Commercial, COVID-19

The rapid spread of COVID-19 and the rapid action taken by every level of government has created a perfect storm for Canadian businesses. Two of the biggest challenges businesses face are uncertainty and rapid change. In this moment, we are seeing an unprecedented level of both, and we understand that clients are looking for answers….

Buying a Business? Start with a Letter of Intent

April 29th, 2020 by John Grant | Posted in Business Law, Corporate Commercial

What is a letter of intent? A letter of intent is a document used to provide the parties to a proposed transaction with the opportunity to reach an understanding on the key business terms and to lay out the general framework for the final binding agreement of purchase and sale (the “APS”). What are the…