In Canada Post Corporation and Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the arbitrator denied CUPW’s cease and desist application filed under the collective agreement, which arose when the employer imposed a mandatory vaccination policy.
In Teamster’s Local Union 847 v. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the arbitrtor denied a union’s grievance over an employer’s policy that required its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to disclose their vaccine status.
Ontario announced that commencing January 31, 2022, in the absence of concerning trends, it would begin to take steps to cautiously and gradually ease public health measures in phases with 21 days between each step.
In Bunge Hamilton Canada, Hamilton, Ontario v. United Food and Commercial Workers Canada, Local 175 (Bunge), Arbitrator Robert J. Herman dismissed a union grievance challenging the employer’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.
Due to high infection rates from the Omicron variant and an increase in hospitalizations, on January 7, 2022, British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer announced an order requiring employers to re-activate their COVID-19 Safety Plans.
In response to the recent rapid increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations caused by the highly transmissible nature of the Omicron variant, Ontario announced that it is temporarily moving back to Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen with modifications.
In 2021, Canada saw significant statutory and case law developments in labour and employment law, some of which related to COVID-19. This Insight provides an overview of key 2021 developments, with links to more detailed articles and commentary.
On December 15, 2021, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued a Level 3 COVID-19 Global travel advisory, which advises Canadians, regardless of their vaccination status, to avoid non-essential travel internationally.
On December 7, 2021, Ontario announced it would extend the availability of Paid Infectious Disease Leave until July 31, 2022, and the temporary relief measures from the termination and severance provisions of the ESA until July 30, 2022.
