attachment_1914990" style="width: 1085px" class="wp-caption alignnone"> laws in Canada

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The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) now accepts applications from eligible people aged 18 to 34. On May 29, the program will expand to include those aged 35 to 54.

The program was implemented in 2023 to decrease dental costs for Canadians earning less than $90,000 annually.

If you’re already part of the dental care program, don’t forget to renew for the 2025 to 2026 period before June 1 to avoid a possible gap in coverage. To do this, you must have filed your 2024 tax return and received the notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Check to see if you qualify for the CDCP.

“Anti-scab” law

In May last year, the federal government passed Bill C-58, a law that aims to protect unionized workers during strikes or lockouts.

Under the legislation, which will take effect on June 20, federal employers won’t be able to use replacement workers, AKA “scabs,” to do the jobs of unionized employees during legal strikes or lockouts. This is an offence punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 per day.

The exceptions to this law include needing to use a replacement worker to prevent threats to life, health or safety of the public and prevent serious damage or destruction to their property. However, employers need to offer the opportunity to bargaining unit members first.

Law holding businesses more accountable for greenwashing

Bill C-59, which kicked in on June 20, 2024, also brought important changes to the Competition Act, specifically when it comes to greenwashing, or misleading consumers about a business’s environmental impacts.

According to Canadian law firm BLG, the changes to legislation won’t only make it easier for the Commissioner of Competition to hold companies accountable, but also for private parties like environmental activists and climate advocacy groups.

Starting June 20 this year, these groups can bring action against companies for deceptive greenwashing marketing practices before the Competition Tribunal if they can show “public interest.”