Publications

July 31, 2014

The Wal-Mart Decision: The Supreme Court of Canada confirms that the collective dismissal of the employees of the Jonquière establishment constituted an illegal change in their conditions of employment under section 59 of the Labour Code[1]

THE FACTSWal-Mart Canada Corporation (hereinafter “Wal-Mart”) opened its Jonquière establishment in 2001. After the United Food and Commercial Workers, local 503 (hereinafter the “Union”), was certified to represent the employees in 2004, negotiations were initiated in view of concluding a first (…)

July 31, 2014

Notice to employers under federal jurisdiction: amendments to the Canada Labour Code will take effect on October 31, 2014

On December 12, 2013, A second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures1 (“Bill C-4”) received royal assent. Bill C-4, which consists of more than 300 pages, proposes a significant number of legal amendments, some of which relate to (…)

July 1, 2014

Serious breaches of the duty of loyalty by a human resources employee – Dismissal upheld by the C.R.T.

The Commission des relations du travail, both in its initial decision and on review, dismissed the complaints challenging the dismissal of an employee despite the absence of prior disciplinary measures. The complainant, who was hired in April 2011, held a position as an administration technician for (…)

June 1, 2014

Legal newsletter for business entrepreneurs and executives, Number 21

CONTENT Overview of the Proposed Rules Respecting Equity Crowdfunding Trademarks in the English Language on Pubilc Signs and PostersOVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED RULES RESPECTING EQUITY CROWDFUNDINGJosianne BeaudryIn 2013, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) launched a consultation on equity (…)

June 1, 2014

Establishment of a new $375 million venture capital fund and recapitalization of the Anges Québec Capital fund

The Budget Plan unveiled by the Quebec Government as part of the Budget Speech of last June 4 includes many initiatives to increase venture capital financing. The 2014 2015 Budget presented by the Minister of Finance, Carlos Leitão, provides for several measures to make $560 million available to (…)

June 1, 2014

What precautions should a proposed director take prior to accepting to act as a corporate director? / What are the duties of a member of a board of directors?

This Need to Know Express is part of a series of newsletters which each answers one or several questions in a practical and concrete way. These bulletins have been or will be published over the next few weeks. In addition, a consolidated version of all the Need to Know Express newsletters published (…)

June 1, 2014

Cooling Towers and Asbestos: New Obligations for Owners, Tenants, Managers and Employers

Over the last year and half, the legislator has addressed the building safety issues in order to ensure the safety of the occupants and visitors of these buildings, as well as the persons who may be exposed to hazards because of equipment attached to such buildings.On March 18, 2013, the Regulation (…)

June 1, 2014

Budget 2014-2015 : The Quebec Government reduces the mining exploration tax incentives

As part of the June 4, 2014 Budget Speech, the Quebec Government announced an immediate 20% reduction in the rates of some business tax credits. The mining exploration tax incentives in Quebec did not escape this reduction.Flow-through share regimeThe flow-through share regime currently allows (…)

June 1, 2014

Self-evaluation process of financial institutions regarding the Sound Commercial Practices Guideline: What is the objective and what will be the impacts?

The Sound Commercial Practices Guideline (the “Guideline”) published by the Autorité des marchés financiers (the “AMF”) in June 2013 and intended for insurers of persons or damages, holding companies controlled by an insurer, trust and savings companies or financial services (…)

June 1, 2014

New Anti-Spam Law: Better Act Quickly

In December 2010, the federal Parliament passed the Act to Promote the Efficiency and Adaptability of the Canadian Economy by Regulating Certain Activities1 that Discourage Reliance on Electronic Means of Carrying out Commercial Activities, better known as the “Canada’s Anti Spam Legislation” (CASL (…)

June 1, 2014

Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 24

CONTENTSNominees in the context of litigationUse of a nominee by limited partnerships and trusts for holding immovablesVoluntary registration for GST and QST purposes by a nomineeImmovables held by a nominee: Issues with respect to consumption taxesNOMINEES IN THE CONTEXT OF LITIGATIONLéa Maalouf  (…)

May 1, 2014

Is a director required to be a shareholder or member of the legal person? / Who is eligible to become a director?

This Need to Know Express is part of a series of newsletters which each answers one or several questions in a practical and concrete way. These bulletins have been or will be published over the next few weeks. In addition, a consolidated version of all the Need to Know Express newsletters published (…)

May 1, 2014

Employees and the Cost of Justice: The Court of Appeal of Québec concludes that a complaint pursuant to section 124 of the Act Respecting Labour Standards (the Act) is admissible despite the existence of an internal arbitration procedure

THE FACTSThe complainant, a non-unionized employee, was hired by McGill University (hereinafter the “University”) in 1987 to be a member of the administrative staff. After working as an administrative assistant since 1994, she was dismissed by the University on June 30, 2009 for fraud. The (…)