On May 13, 2021, the Quebec government tabled Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Quebec,1 which proposes various amendments to the Charter of the French Language.2 Once adopted and in force, this bill will impact several areas. We will focus here on the main changes affecting employers and their employees or potential […]
In an effort to reduce the regulatory burden for non-investment fund reporting issuers, on May 20, 2021, the Canadian Securities Administrators (“CSA”) released a notice and request for comment regarding proposed amendments to National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“NI 51-102”) together with consequential amendments to associated policies and applicable securities laws and regulations (collectively, the “Proposed […]
Monday, June 7, 2021 A clearer picture of the future of internet gaming (“iGaming”) in Canada is forming as the federal, provincial and territorial governments appear to be committed to the vision of realizing this new market. Harnessing the power of the Canadian gambling, gaming and esports industries, the iGaming market is tracking to be […]
A recent decision1 of the Court of Appeal has clarified the principle of immunity from civil proceedings enjoyed by employers under the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases (hereafter the “AIAOD”). This decision is also interesting in that it sets the record straight as to what does and does not qualify as constructive dismissal. Brief summary of the […]
Professionals have ethical obligations and must respect them in all spheres of their lives, even in their private lives. While they enjoy the protection of the same constitutional rights and freedoms as all citizens, these rights and freedoms are not absolute and are circumscribed by the professional’s ethical obligations. In Comptables professionnels agréés(Ordre des) c. Pilon,1 the respondent was […]
This article first appeared in French in the April 2021 edition of the Journal des Parcs industriels by the Corporation des parcs industriels du Québec. An international movement pushing for greater transparency in the corporate world has sparked reform initiatives across Canada. In this context, the Quebec government introduced a bill in December 2020 to force companies […]
On February 17, 2021, Quebec’s Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (hereafter “MSSS”) announced that, under certain circumstances, private-sector enterprises can obtain rapid COVID-19 screening test kits. While workplaces dealing with an outbreak will continue to receive support from public health authorities, companies that want to have a supply of rapid tests on hand to allow […]
The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (“CNESST”) has decided to make it mandatory, as of April 8, 2021, to wear a medical mask or a mask certified by the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ), at all times in all workplaces in Quebec. A mask will now be required in all circumstances, […]
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 ISS 2021 Updates Board of Directors ISS has also addressed gender diversity on board of directors. For S&P/TSX Composite Index companies, effective February 2022, ISS recommends withholding votes for the Chair of the Nominating Committee or Chair of the committee designated with the responsibility of a nominating committee, or Chair of the […]
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 With the upcoming 2021 proxy season fast approaching, both issuers and investors should be aware of changes and developments in several areas of corporate governance and securities law. As in past years, proxy advisory firms Glass, Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”) and Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) have updated their Canadian proxy […]
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Glass Lewis has expanded its policy on board gender diversity for Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”)-listed issuers. Beginning in 2021, a board consisting of fewer than two female directors will be noted as a concern. Voting recommendations in 2021 will continue to be based on Glass Lewis’ current recommendation […]
Foreward by Andrew Chilvers When the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive was introduced into law by the UK and EU in January 2020, for many professionals it was a much needed addition to legislation that would significantly help business transparency and combat money laundering. In essence, it was good for business and for public and professional […]
