Our firm is deeply committed to the protection and advancement of human rights. We regularly provide advice and representation to unions, organizations and individuals involved in human rights, disability and accommodation matters. Our firm has significant experience in all areas of human rights law, appearing regularly before both provincial and federal human rights tribunals. We also have extensive experience representing individuals before various courts on these issues, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
We have dealt with such varied issues as the duty to accommodate, same-sex benefits, sexual harassment, racial discrimination, the institutional independence of human rights tribunals, and pay equity in various sectors. We were counsel to the union in the pay equity complaint regarding the federal public service, where our success before the Human Rights Tribunal and the Federal Court resulted in a $3.6 billion settlement in favour of public service workers. Our firm has also played a leading role in the development of recent caselaw with respect to family status accommodation.
Other Areas of Expertise
Labour Law
Our lawyers regularly present grievances on behalf of unions and employee associations on all matters arising from the interpretation or application of collective agreements.
Human Rights
Our firm regularly provides advice and representation to unions, organizations and individuals involved in human rights, pay equity, or employment equity matters.
Judicial Review and Appellate Advocacy
Our firm routinely provides representation to unions, individuals, and organizations who seek to attack or set aside actions taken by the government or tribunals
Employment Law and Wrongful Dismissal
Our firm represents individuals in a wide range of employment matters, including wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal, employment standards claims, employee benefits and executive compensation.
Disability Benefits
Our firm provides assistance to individuals applying for Long-Term Disability Benefits and Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits, as well as representations before appeal tribunals.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Our firm provides advice and representation to individuals, unions and organizations respecting the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Charter.
Health and Safety / WSIB
Our firm provides advice and representation in matters concerning workers’ compensation and health and safety. This includes appearances before appeal tribunals.
Pensions and Retirement Benefits
Our firm provides advice and representation to individual employees and unions on matters such as retirement and disability pensions.
Professional Discipline
We regularly defend professionals who are the subject of complaints to their governing body, notably in the health care and education sectors.
Access to Information and Privacy
Our firm assists clients with their own research projects and can provide guidance and representation throughout the process, including complaints and court applications, to maximize results and reduce delays.
Whistleblower Protection
Our firm provides advice and advocacy to employees before, during, and after the whistle is “blown.” We provide guidance as to the scope of permissible disclosure and the procedural steps that are necessary before “going public.”
Advocacy Training
We have extensive experience in developing and presenting courses designed to teach advocacy skills to union representatives, at both basic and more advanced levels.