2026 has been a very busy year! From key new caselaw – some of it good for employers, for a change – to new legislation, there is a lot to discuss.

Join us as we examine:

1. Key new caselaw

• Employment agreements: Ontario courts more willing to uphold termination provisions.
• Bonus and equity compensation: Contractual language that mitigates risk, post termination.
• Mitigation earnings: How new caselaw can impact litigation strategy.
• Remote work: B.C. Court of Appeal says remote work can become a term of employment.
• And more…

2. New and upcoming legislation across Canada

• Employment Insurance: Tariff relief and special measures across Canada.
• Employment standards legislation: Amendments in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and PEI.
• Protecting Ontario’s Workers and Economic Resilience Act, 2026: Proposed changes to the Employment Standards Act, Labour Relations Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
• Federal: Substantial changes to the Canada Labour Code impacting federally regulated collective bargaining.

3. Trends for 2027

• Workplace investigations under scrutiny: Increased focus on the investigation process.
• Unprecedented damage awards.
• Restructuring in an uncertain economy: Government programs available to assist (e.g., work-sharing, funding opportunities, etc.).
• Pay transparency and the impact on recruitment: Risks and best practices including, human rights complaints based on equal pay, employee morale (“why am I at the bottom of the range?”), and more.
• Artificial Intelligence: Risks and liabilities (follow-up from our September HReview).