Changes in payroll laws and regulations from across Canada
Alberta
WCB registration deadline approaching for farm employers
Farms or ranches with paid workers who are not business owners or family members of the owners have until April 30 to set up an account with the province’s Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB).
Amendments to workers’ compensation regulations that took effect on Jan. 1 require farming and ranching operations in Alberta that employ paid workers to register for workers’ compensation coverage. Coverage for family members and workers who do not receive wages remains optional.
The government has also amended the province’s Employment Standards Code to repeal exemptions from a number of provisions for employees employed on a farm or ranch whose jobs are directly related to the primary production of eggs, milk, grain, seeds, fruit, vegetables, honey, livestock, bees, poultry, etc.
The employment standards amendments are expected to take effect sometime this spring after the government holds consultations with industry groups on exemptions that may be required in unique situations.
Once in force, these workers will be protected by the code’s provisions for hours of work, overtime, statutory holidays, vacations and minimum wage, among others.
For more information on the workers’ compensation changes, refer to the WCB’s website www.wcb.ab.ca/employers/farm_owners.asp.
Manitoba
New rules for compassionate care leave
The Manitoba Legislative Assembly recently passed amendments to the province’s Employment Standards Code that increase the amount of unpaid time off work employees may take for compassionate care leave from eight weeks to 28 weeks as of April 1.
At publication time, the legislation had passed third reading, but needed royal assent before taking effect.
The government says it made the change to align the code with recent amendments to employment insurance (EI) legislation that increased the number of weeks in which eligible individuals may receive EI benefits for compassionate care leave from six weeks to 26 weeks.
The amendments, which were included in Bill 8, The Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence, Leave for Serious Injury or Illness and Extension of Compassionate Care Leave), also raise the eligibility requirement for the leave from 30 days of employment with an employer to 90 days.
They also extend the period in which employees may take a compassionate care leave from 26 weeks to 52 weeks and clarify that employees do not need another medical certificate if they take a compassionate care leave after the end of the 26-week period set out in the original medical certificate.
New Brunswick
February holiday possible
New Brunswick may join other provinces in Canada in providing a holiday in February.
The government plans to conduct an analysis into whether it should introduce a February holiday, looking at whether the holiday should be a paid statutory holiday and how it would affect employers and employees.
Reminder: Minimum wage increased April 1
The general minimum wage rate in New Brunswick rose to $10.65 an hour from $10.30 on April 1.
The government says it plans to raise the general minimum wage rate to $11 an hour by 2017. In future years, it will index the minimum wage rate.
Nova Scotia
Reminder: Minimum wage rates went up
The general minimum wage rate in Nova Scotia rose to $10.70 an hour from $10.60 on April 1. The minimum wage rate for inexperienced workers increased from $10.10 an hour to $10.20.
The "inexperienced worker" rate only applies to employees who have worked for their employer for fewer than three months and have fewer than three months of total experience in the kind of work the employer hired them to do.
Nunavut
Reminder: Minimum wage increased April 1
The territory’s minimum wage rate rose to $13 an hour from $11 on April 1. It is the first increase in the minimum wage in Nunavut since 2011.
Prince Edward Island
Workers’ comp coverage changes
Beginning next year, farm employers in the province will have to register for workers’ compensation coverage, the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) recently announced. Currently, farm employers may apply for optional coverage.
The board says it consulted with representatives in the farming industry about the switch from optional to mandatory coverage. Before implementing the change on Jan. 1, the board says there will be a "comprehensive information and education process" to help employers understand their new responsibilities.
Quebec
Reminder: Minimum wage rate going up
The province’s minimum wage rates are going up on May 1. The general minimum wage rate will rise from $10.55 an hour to $10.75. This rate will also apply for employees in certain sectors of the clothing industry. The rate for employees who receive tips will increase from $9.05 an hour to $9.20. The minimum wage rate for raspberry pickers will increase from $3.12 per kilogram to $3.18, while the rate for workers who pick strawberries will rise from 83 cents a kilogram to 85 cents.
Yukon
Reminder: Minimum wage rose April 1
On April 1, the territorial government increased the Yukon minimum wage rate to $11.07 an hour from $10.86. The minimum wage rate is indexed to the consumer price index and is adjusted every year on April 1.
