First Reference Talks

Discussions on Human Resources, Employment Law and Payroll

By | 8 Minutes Read

COVID-19 Impact: Canadian pension and retirement plans

As the Canadian economy has come to a near standstill, public equity markets have declined sharply and interest rates have dropped. This has caused sudden unanticipated and significant financial hardships for defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) registered pension plans, along with other common types of employer-sponsored retirement savings plans in Canada.

By | 3 Minutes Read

Human Rights Commissioner publications on COVID-19 employment issues

In this time of rapidly changing circumstances, neither the Human Rights Tribunal nor the courts have had time to weigh in on whether COVID-19 amounts to a disability. However, in my view as BC’s Human Rights Commissioner, it does.

By | 3 Minutes Read

Update: Alberta temporarily amends employment standards legislation: Temporary layoffs, group terminations, and job-protected leaves are impacted

The Alberta Government has released a Ministerial Order temporarily amending employment standards legislation to deal with the practical implications arising from COVID-19.

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Established in 1995, First Reference Inc. (known as La Référence in Quebec) provides Canadian organizations of any size with practical and authoritative resources to help ensure compliance.

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