News
SCC Update – Payment of Incentive Bonuses During the Notice Period
On Friday, October 9, 2020 the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision on Matthews v Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd.[1] This decision was highly anticipated for its commentary on long-term incentive plan entitlements. Case Summary The appellant, David Matthews (“Matthews”) was employed by the respondent Ocean Nutrition Canada (“ONC”). As part of his […] Read more
Refusing Unsafe Work in the COVID Era (British Columbia)
Employees have a right to refuse unsafe work, but can an employee refuse to work based on a risk of possible exposure to COVID-19? This article provides a general overview of the grounds for and process of refusing unsafe work in British Columbia, with specific considerations for work refusals made during the COVID-19 pandemic. When […] Read more
Transition from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to Employment Insurance (EI)
On August 20, 2020, the Government of Canada announced further details on their plan to transition from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to Employment Insurance (EI). To aid Canadians in this transition, CERB has been extended by an additional four weeks to a maximum of 28 weeks. Additionally, changes are being made to the […] Read more
COVID-19 Emergency Layoff Variance
The BC Employment Standards Act restricts the circumstances when an employer can lawfully proceed with temporary layoffs, and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, only permitted eligible employers to temporarily lay-off employees for up to 13 weeks in a period of 20 consecutive weeks. In May the duration of temporary layoffs for reasons related to COVID-19 […] Read more
July 2020 COVID-19 Update
As we move further into Phase 3 of British Columbia’s Restart Plan there have been some important changes in the COVID-19 labour and employment law landscape. Employment Standards Act The government of British Columbia has extended the temporary lay-off provisions under the Employment Standards Act to 24 weeks for employees laid-off due to COVID-19. Prior […] Read more
COVID-19 Safety Plans
Phase 2 of the Government of British Columbia’s plan to re-open the province’s economy and businesses commenced May 19 and ended June 23. Phase 3 commenced June 24, 2020. Businesses that decide to open or remain open must adhere to all public health orders issued by the Ministry of Health and follow guidelines from both […] Read more
Extended Temporary Layoffs due to COVID-19
To provide more flexibility to employers and employees wishing to extend a temporary layoff due to COVID-19, the government of British Columbia has amended the definition of temporary layoff in the Employment Standards Act to increase the maximum length of a temporary layoff to 16 weeks in a consecutive 20 weeks, rather than the usual […] Read more
Eight Pulver Crawford Munroe LLP Lawyers Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Congratulations to Susan Arnold, Dean Crawford, QC, Pat Gallivan, QC, Marcia McNeil, Craig Munroe, Paul Pulver, Peter Sheen, and Marino Sveinson for being recognized by their peers and listed in the 2020 Edition of the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. Lexpert is a widely respected peer review publication in the legal profession. This recognition confirms Pulver […] Read more
