Canada: Employee Benefits & Compensation

When an Ontario employer terminates an employee holding unvested Restricted Stock Units, can forfeiture clauses in equity agreements lawfully eliminate the employee's right to continued vesting during the statutory notice period? The Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in Wigdor v. Facebook Canada Ltd. addresses this critical question, examining whether such provisions impermissibly contract out of Employment Standards Act protections and what financial consequences employers face when equity forfeiture term

Saskatchewan employers must prepare for a minimum wage increase to $15.70 per hour, effective October 1, 2026. The provincial government's formulaic approach, which considers consumer price index changes and average hourly wages, continues to drive annual adjustments. Employers need to update their payroll systems before the deadline to ensure compliance with the new wage requirements.

Ce chapitre fait partie de notre guide Faire des affaires au Canada, qui vise à aider les investisseurs internationaux à mieux comprendre les considérations juridiques, réglementaires et stratégiques qui influent sur les décisions d’investissement, l’exécution des transactions et le succès à long terme au Canada.

In Cooper v GFI Solutions Ltd, 2026 ABCJ 142 (Higa, J), the Alberta Court of Justice found a wrongfully dismissed employee was entitled to 8 months’ reasonable notice plus $30k in aggravated damages. This is important for several reasons, but the aggravated damages award is the biggest highlight. I am aware of only one ACJ case with an aggravated damages award this high. I am not aware of any higher.

The Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in Wigdor v Facebook Canada Ltd. addresses whether employers can stop equity compensation vesting during statutory notice periods. When Facebook Canada terminated Dr. Wigdor and cancelled his unvested RSUs worth millions, the court examined whether forfeiture provisions in equity agreements can override Employment Standards Act protections for employee compensation.

An Oregon Court of Appeals decision clarifies how statutory damages are calculated in wage deduction cases, determining whether employees can recover $200 per paycheck or per violation category. The ruling also addresses when employers can use Oregon's class action cure provision to dismiss collective claims before litigation advances.

Hiring temporary foreign workers can help address labour shortages and support business growth, but it also comes with important and ongoing employer compliance obligations.

As wedding costs in Canada soar between $30,000-$42,000, many couples face difficult financial decisions about celebrating their love. This guide explores practical strategies...

The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that employers cannot require employees to forfeit unvested equity compensation during statutory notice periods, even when paid in lieu of working notice.