Wassim Garzouzi Publishes Chapter on Collective Bargaining in Education

Wassim Garzouzi recently published a chapter in the edited collection, Collective Bargaining in Higher Education. Wassim’s chapter addresses the myth of academic exceptionalism in organizing and collective bargaining within academia, examined through the lens of a successful organizing drive and first contract achieved by the part-time law professors at the University of Ottawa. The chapter is available here. The interest arbitration decision referred to in the chapter can be found here. Read More

“Draconian and Inflexible”, Arbitrator Declares ORNGE’s Drug and Alcohol Policy to be Unreasonable and Discriminatory

The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) was successful in two grievances challenging ORNGE’s Drug and Alcohol Policy. Specifically, the OPEIU challenged the ORNGE’s “zero-tolerance” approach to medical cannabis, and its practice to treat prescribed medicinal cannabis differently from other types of medication. Arbitrator Gail Misra declared ORNGE’s policy to be discriminatory and unreasonable. She concluded that “having a blanket edict that if an employee can only use medical... Read More

Dayna Steinfeld Interviewed on Ableism in the Legal Profession

Dayna Steinfeld gave a feature interview to the Law Society of Manitoba’s Equity Officer on ableism and disability discrimination in the legal profession for the December issue of the Communiqué newsletter. Focusing on human rights in hiring and in practice in the legal profession, Dayna answered common questions that arise for lawyers as employers and employees. Dayna’s interview is available here. Read More

Manitoba Employment Standards Code – What You Need to Know

By Dayna Steinfeld In Manitoba, The Employment Standards Code (“ESC”) establishes basic and minimum rights and standards for provincial employees. Where the ESC applies to a worker’s job, these rights and standards are mandatory. This kind of legislation is not unique to Manitoba. Employment standards statutes are found in every province and in the federal jurisdiction, and there are many general similarities between the Manitoba ESC and legislation in other... Read More

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Our firm offices will close on Sept 30 to mark the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and to take time to learn about and reflect on the lasting impact of residential “schools”, the racist beliefs behind them and their harmful and shameful legacy. Read More

Alison McEwen Teaches Employment Law at UOttawa

As the school year gets underway again, Alison McEwen welcomes back students to her Employment Law class in the University of Ottawa’s Common Law program, which she will be teaching again this fall term. Read More

Jessica Greenwood to Present on Employment Issues During COVID-19

On September 24, 2021, Jessica Greenwood will be speaking at the Kingston and the Thousand Islands Legal Conference. Jessica will be part of a panel addressing employment issues in the face of COVID-19, focusing particularly on Infectious Disease Emergency Leave and vaccines. The conference is being held virtually again this year. For more information or to register, please visit the conference website. Read More

Andrew Astritis Presents on Tort Law in the Workplace

On September 13, 2021, Andrew Astritis presented on the overlapping areas of tort law and labour law as part of Lancaster House’s “Torts Illustrated” webinar. The webinar explored a range of issues, including the authority of labour arbitrators to award remedies for the kinds of wrongdoing and misconduct that are covered by tort law. Andrew’s panel also spoke about the establishment of new torts protecting privacy rights and the rules around when an... Read More

James Cameron Presents on LTD Issues in Employment Law Cases

On September 23, 2021, James Cameron presented as part of the County of Carleton Law Association’s second virtual Six-Minute Employment Lawyer update. James presented on the interconnections between Long-Term Disability claims, the duty to accommodate disabilities in the workplace, and wrongful dismissal cases. Read More

Employers’ Total Payroll Determines Severance Entitlement in Ontario

In a significant win for workers in Ontario, the Divisional Court held that the obligation to provide severance pay under the Employment Standards Act (ESA) applies to all employers with a global payroll of $2.5 million, even if their payroll in Ontario is below that threshold. The landmark decision in Hawkes v. Max Aicher (North America) Limited means that multinational companies with small Ontario payrolls cannot use the small Ontario... Read More