Category Archives: Recent News

Fort McMurray Wildfire Named Costliest Disaster in Canadian History

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Marijana Dabic

The wildfire that devastated Fort McMurray was named the costliest insured natural disaster in Canadian history. In total, the event generated $3.58 billion in losses, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The total losses are more than double those associated with Canada’s second costliest disaster, the 2013 southern Alberta flood, which cost $1.7 billion in insurance claims.

The wildfire, which was finally brought under control on July 5, 2016, was Canada’s largest-ever evacuation. The fire impacted 1.4 million acres of area, destroying 2,400 homes and other buildings. In total, more than 27,000 personal property insurance claims averaging $81,000 each were filed.

While experts can’t point to a singular cause of the fire, some say it was the result of unusually high temperatures and a dry winter. And, with weather changes causing continuous problems, it is likely that more fires similar to the one that ravaged Fort McMurray could be imminent.

To protect themselves, businesses are encouraged to seek the appropriate insurance coverage to defend against substantial losses. Additionally, a business continuity plan can help ensure that, even after extensive damage has occurred, a business can successfully operate following a disaster—natural or otherwise.

Such plans should analyze potential threats, identify key stakeholders, provide emergency contact information, create a recovery team, backup important data, establish a communication strategy and list potential alternative operations sites.

So while wildfires and other disasters are often unpredictable, keeping in mind the above advice can help you prepare for the worst.

The World Economic Forum Details the Greatest Risks the World Will Face This Year

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Marijana Dabic

The potential impact of climate change is expected to be the greatest risk the world will face in 2016. This was indicated in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, which collects input from nearly 750 experts on global risks related to economics, the environment, technology and more.

The report notes that climate change impacts a number of concerns, citing food security, fresh water management and ocean acidification as some examples. This is the first time in the history of the report that an environmental issue has topped list of risks.

After climate change, the top four major risks in terms of impact are as follows:

Weapons of mass destruction
Water crisis
Large-scale involuntary migration
Energy price shock

The list of risks is incredibly broad, with 4 out of 5 risk categories—environmental, geopolitical, societal and economic—holding a place among the most impactful challenges of 2016.

It’s interesting to note that, while climate change tops the list of global risks, it ranks only at number five on the list of Canadian risks for 2016. Above climate change, the greatest four risks for Canada are as follows:

Energy price shock
Asset bubble
Cyber attacks
Failure of critical infrastructure

The World Economic Forum says that identifying global risks is a critical step to help mitigate potential harm. They also warn that a number of the risks that were identified in the report require serious collaboration from both the private and public sectors in order to appropriately address some of the major concerns.

For more information on specific risks and to review the report in its entirety, click here.

5 Legal Risks Facing Businesses

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Marijana Dabic

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, one of Canada’s preeminent law firms, recently published a report on the top 10 legal risks businesses may face in 2016. Learning what these risks are can help companies identify key trends and regulatory changes that could have serious legal implications for their business. Five of the major risks identified include the following:

Climate Change: In order to combat climate change, there will likely be significant changes to Canada’s energy systems, with a heavier focus on green energy sources expected. As such, businesses will need to be aware of potential green initiatives in order to navigate complicated policies.
Increased Tax Scrutiny: As the demand for greater tax transparency continues, businesses will need to be mindful as Canadian tax authorities pursue non-privileged information.
Electronic Payment Fraud: With the increasing popularity of electronic payment methods, the need for effective policies and procedures to mitigate the risk of fraud has never been greater.
Trade Agreements: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) are primed to have a serious impact on Canadian businesses. The report says it’s important for companies to get a head start in investigating potential risks associated with these agreements.
Anti-spam Law: Canada’s anti-spam legislation (CASL) creates regulations around unsolicited commercial electronic messages, unauthorized commercial installation and use of computer programs, and other forms of online fraud. If these regulations aren’t properly followed, companies could face serious penalties.

For more information and to read about all of potential 2016 legal risks, click here.

Ontario’s New JHSC Training Standards Come into Effect March 1, 2016

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Marijana Dabic

On Oct. 1, 2015, the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) of the Ministry of Labour (MOL) announced new standards for Joint Health Safety Committee (JHSC) member certification and new requirements for organizations that provide JHSC certification training programs. The new standards replace the 1996 Certification Standards (1996 Standards) and become effective March 1, 2016.

New Training Program Standard Requirements

Under the new standards, JHSC members seeking to become certified after March1, 2016, must complete new, more comprehensive training courses. These training courses are separated into three segments: Part 1, Part 2 and refresher training. All three segments of this training must be part of a CPO-approved JHSC program and must be delivered by a CPO-approved JHSC certification training provider.

JHSC members certified under the 1996 Standards before March1, 2016, are not required to complete additional training under the new standards, nor are they required to complete refresher training to maintain their certification.

Starting March 1, 2016, JHSC members who have completed only Part 1 of the certification training under the 1996 Standards will be required to complete Part 2 under the new standards. Additionally, these individuals will need to take refresher training periodically to maintain their certification.

Format of JHSC Training Under New Training Program Standard

Part 1 training involves generic health and safety training that is applicable to all workplaces where a JHSC is required. Part 1 training must consist of at least three days (19.5 hours) of face-to-face instruction, of which, 6.5 hours can be delivered via eLearning. It includes information on the following:

Occupational health and safety laws and regulations;
Rights, duties and responsibilities of workplace parties;
Hazard recognition, assessment, and control and evaluation of hazard controls;
The role and responsibilities of JHSCs;
Duties and responsibilities of JHSC members and certified members; and
Health and safety resources.

Part 2 training focuses on the concepts of hazard recognition, assessment and control of hazards, and evaluation of hazard controls, often referred to as the RACE methodology. This training must also focus on a minimum of six hazards that are relevant to the JHSC member’s workplace. The minimum duration of Part 2 training is two days (13 hours) of face-to-face instruction.

Part 2 training must be completed within six months of completing Part 1 training, subject to a one-time extension granted at the CPO’s discretion.

Refresher training must be completed once every three years by anyone who is JHSC certified under the new standards. This training must entail a minimum of one day (6.5 hours) of face-to-face instruction and include the following:

A review of key concepts from Part 1 and Part 2 training;
Information on relevant updates to legislation, standards, codes of practice, and occupational health and safety best practices; and
The opportunity for certified members to share and discuss best practices and challenges related to workplace health and safety.

Certified JHSC members may request a one-time exemption from refresher training. Exemptions, if approved, would extend the required period for refresher training an additional three years.

New Training Provider Standard

The new standards also set out criteria that training providers must meet in order to deliver a CPO-approved JHSC certification training program. To deliver JHSC Certification Training as of March 1, 2016, all training providers, including existing training providers and potential providers, must apply to the MOL for CPO approval.

Training providers previously approved by the CPO may continue to provide JHSC training under the 1996 Standards until Feb. 29, 2016, but they are required to re-apply for CPO approval and provide certification training after that date.

It should be noted that employers can apply to become approved JHSC certification training providers. Once approved by the CPO, employers can then provide JHSC certification training to their employees.

Additional Information

A list of all CPO-approved JHSC certification training providers will be posted on the MOL website as they are approved.

For additional information on JHSCs or the recent changes made to the certification standards, organizations may visit the MOL’s JHSC website.

New Noise Protection Requirements Extended to Ontario Workplaces

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Marijana Dabic

The Ontario Ministry of Labour recently extended noise protection requirements to all workplaces covered under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Workplaces covered under the new Noise Regulations include construction sites, health care facilities, schools, farming operations, fire services, police services and amusement parks.

The new regulation, which will come into effect on July 1, 2016, aims to protect workers from noise-induced hearing loss.

Specifically, the new regulation does the following:

Places limits on the length of time workers are exposed to noise, with a maximum exposure limit of 85 decibels over an eight-hour work shift
Requires employers to implement preventive workplace controls (introducing safe work practices, engineering controls, etc.) in order to reduce employee exposure to noise
Requires employers to provide personal protective equipment (like hearing protection devices) and adequate training on its proper usage

In addition, noise protection sections in the Industrial Establishments, Mines and Mining Plants, and Oil and Gas-Offshore regulations have been revoked and are now incorporated into the new Noise Regulations.

The Regulations for Farming Operations was also amended in order to apply the noise regulation to farming operations.

To read the regulation in its entirety, click here.