Public Service Alliance of Canada seeks to enshrine the right to work remotely in new collective agreements for thousands of Federal workers.
Continue Reading What’s Remote Work Got to Do With It? A New Era of Collective Bargaining
ChatGPT and AI Disruption of the Law
The sensationalism surrounding ChatGPT that has developed since its launch on November 30, 2022, has been fascinating to observe. For the uninitiated, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (“AI”) chatbot that provides detailed responses based on conversational prompts from the user. It will compose pretty much anything you ask it to – whether it be an e-mail or an essay – and it will do so in a matter of seconds.
ChatGPT quickly made headlines following its debut as students started using it to do their homework assignments and journalists responded with shock as they tested its ability to write news articles for them. The sentiment from some vocal sources was negative and painted a dire picture regarding the impact ChatGPT could have in education and various industries – including legal services.
SpringLaw is Turning 5 & Giving Back
SpringLaw Turns 5 Years Old Today!
In law firm years, that means we are past the start-up phase and into the expansion and enhancement of client experience stage. We continue to build out our behind-the-scenes automation and tech-driven services to bring efficiency to files, so that we can focus on 1:1 communications with our clients.
5 Years of Virtual Counsel & Efficient Client-Centred Services
Little did we know 5 years ago how much being entirely virtual, paperless and focusing on cloud-based, online collaborative communications would come in handy during a global pandemic. Over the last 2 years, it’s been fantastic to see so many law firms, clients, adjudicative bodies and our justice system generally dig in and figure out how to communicate virtually.
Continue Reading SpringLaw is Turning 5 & Giving Back
No Award for Violence
If you missed the Oscars last night, you missed viewing a crime in real-time. The live and at-home viewing audience witnessed an assault. If you haven’t seen it, you can view the clip here. Chris Rock told a joke about Jada Pinkett, and her husband, Will Smith, then walked onto the stage, hit Chris Rock across the face, and went on to retort with profanity on live television. What’s more shocking than the act itself, is that the Oscars live broadcast continued without acknowledgement of the incident and later gave Will Smith an award.
Let’s talk about the law of assault (at least the Canadian definition). Section 265 of the Criminal Code of Canada says a person commits assault when: without the consent of another person, they apply force intentionally to that other person, directly or indirectly. Simply put, it is an assault, if one is making, or attempting to make, contact with another person without their consent. This is sometimes referred to as a common assault or simple assault because it is not aggravated (serious injuries) or with a weapon.
Continue Reading No Award for Violence
A Guide for Employers During COVID-19 – January 4, 2022
A Guide for Employers during COVID-19
This free guide sets out the key employment law issues to consider, as well as the government’s financial relief options to explore, to get through this ongoing pandemic. (Last Updated January 4, 2022)
Should you need legal advice specific to your workplace, please get in touch to learn more
A Proposed Ban on Non-Competes
On October 25, Ontario Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021 (“the Bill”) passed first reading. This Bill proposes amendments to our key Ontario employment statutes, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In today’s post, we will review highlights regarding the proposed ban on non-competes and talk about how Ontario businesses can prepare.
A Ban On Non-Competes
One much-discussed element of the Bill is the proposed ban on non-competition agreements in employment contracts.
A non-competition agreement restricts – or tries to – an employee’s ability, for a period of time, to work for a competitor after leaving the employer. The restriction is usually somewhere between three months to two years.
Continue Reading A Proposed Ban on Non-Competes
Recent Changes to the Federal Government’s Covid-19 Benefits Schemes
As of Saturday, October 23, 2021, a suite of federal benefits formerly slated for both individuals and small businesses was set to expire following several extension periods. In partial response, the federal government has earmarked $7.4 billion for new programs intended to maintain some level of support for businesses and individuals throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
What Is Set To Expire?
On October 23, 2021, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) both expired after their initial implementation in 2020. The Budget Implementation Act would allow the government to extend these programs to November 30, 2021, however, anything beyond this time frame would require the introduction of new legislation. Under the CERS, businesses have a monthly cap of $75,000 on eligible expenses that can be claimed per business location, and $300,000 in total for all locations. In our discussion below, there is potential for an increase in this monthly cap.
Continue Reading Recent Changes to the Federal Government’s Covid-19 Benefits Schemes
A Guide for Employers During COVID-19 – October 26 update
A Guide for Employers during COVID-19
This free guide sets out the key employment law issues to consider, as well as the government’s financial relief options to explore, to get through this ongoing pandemic. (Last Updated October 26, 2021)
Looking for more help to open the office smoothly and safely? Check out our new DIY
Welcome Flora Vineberg and Lindsay Koruna!
We are thrilled to introduce two new members of the SpringLaw team- Flora Vineberg and Lindsay Koruna!
Flora Vineberg – Employment, Sexual Assault & Investigations Lawyer
Flora is a formidable advocate specializing in labour and employment law, with a specific focus on sexual assault, harassment and
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Today marks Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day provides Canadians with an opportunity to honour, reflect upon and educate themselves about the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities.
At SpringLaw, each of our team members will be dedicating part of today to observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by learning about Truth and Reconciliation, the diverse and rich First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures across Canada, and reflecting upon their stories and histories.
SpringLaw will also be making a donation to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for each team member who completes the University of Alberta’s free online course “Indigenous Canada”. We encourage all of our clients, colleagues, family and friends to do the same.
Continue Reading National Day for Truth and Reconciliation