Is My Termination Clause Invalid? Conflicting Case Law In The Ontario Courts

Recent decisions in the Ontario courts have created uncertainty for Ontario workers as to whether the termination clauses in their contracts are valid or not. Many employment contracts contain a sentence that reads something like this: c) Termination by the Company for Just Cause – The Company has the right, at any time and without notice, to terminate your employment under this Agreement for just cause. Under this provision, if... Read More

Ontario Announces Legislation for More Workplace Policies

Wassim Garzouzi speaks to Ottawa Morning with Robyn Bresnahan on the Ontario Government’s proposed amendments to the Employment Standards Act, specifically as they relate to the right to disconnect. [audio mp3="https://ravenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/raven-law-mp3.mp3"][/audio] Read More

Ontario Government Proposes to Ban Noncompete Clauses

Wassim Garzouzi was interviewed by the Toronto Star on the Ontario Government’s proposed ban on noncompete clauses in employment contracts. Check out what he said here! Read More

Courts differ on whether to deduct CERB benefits from wrongful dismissal damages

By Raven Law [The firm gratefully recognizes the contribution of this post by articling student Anna Rotman] The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was introduced in part to support individuals who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Millions of workers across Canada who were out of work at some point during the pandemic have received CERB payments. Some of those workers may have made claims of wrongful dismissal against... 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

Terminated while pregnant? You may be entitled to a longer notice period

Losing your job is an incredibly stressful event, even more so if you are pregnant. A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court offers some comfort to pregnant employees who are terminated, by ruling that pregnancy can be a factor in assessing the appropriate length of a reasonable notice owed to a terminated employee. Employees are entitled to reasonable notice of termination (either working notice, where you continue to work... Read More

Morgan Rowe Presents on Emerging Human Rights Issues

On September 27, 2021, Morgan Rowe spoke to the University of Ottawa – Faculty of Common Law’s “Human Rights” class, as part of the class on emerging topics in human rights. Her presentation focused on topics related to sexual orientation, asexuality, and the regulation of personal relationships. Read More

Zachary Rodgers Called to the Bar in Manitoba

On October 1, 2021, Zachary Rodgers was called to the Bar in the province of Manitoba. He will assist the firm’s Manitoba clients with all matters related to labour, employment and administrative law. He joins Dayna Steinfeld, RavenLaw’s lead lawyer in Winnipeg, in providing legal services to workers in Manitoba. Read More

Dayna Steinfeld Appears in Constitutional Challenge for First Nations Children

Beginning on October 25, 2021, Dayna Steinfeld is appearing in the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench as co-counsel for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) in a case challenging the Manitoba government’s enactment of section 231 of The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act (BITSA). Section 231 of BITSA legislatively immunizes the Manitoba government from liability for taking more than $335 million of federal Children’s Special Allowance funds from Manitoba children in the child welfare system. In... 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