How to Submit a Long-Term Disability Claim

A long-term disability (LTD) claim is essential for those unable to work due to a debilitating medical condition or injury. If you cannot work because of a medical condition or injury, it may be possible to secure LTD benefits. Today, let’s examine how to submit a long-term disability claim in more detail. In addition, we’ll cover what happens if you are denied including next steps. Make the Most of the... Read More

Andrew Astritis Speaks at University of Ottawa

On December 3, 2020, Andrew Astritis gave a guest lecture on Workers’ Rights and the Charter in the University of Ottawa’s English Common Law Program. Speaking to upper year labour law students, Andrew outlined recent developments in the law on these issues, including the 2015 Labour Law Trilogy in which the Supreme Court of Canada recognized the existence of a constitutional right to strike. Read More

Federal Court of Appeal Quashes Classification Decision for Third Time

In a recent court decision, the Federal Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the Canada Border Service Agency to reject the classification grievances of over 45 management employees. The Court found that CBSA’s decision was unreasonable because it refused to reclassify the managers’ position on the basis that it did not perform certain decision-making responsibilities, when this was not actually a requirement of the classification rules or guidelines. Furthermore, the... Read More

The Basics of Severance Packages in Ontario

When Ontarians think about pay packages upon the termination of their job, they often use the term “severance packages”. That term can include a number of different types of pay, including statutory termination, notice outlined in an employment contract, and notice at common law. However, despite the similar naming convention, the three are unique.  What are Severance Packages? Severance packages in Ontario consist of the amount legally owed to you... Read More

Sean McGee Speaks at Human Rights and Labour Conference

On October 20-21, 2020, Sean McGee presented as part of Lancaster House’s annual Ottawa Human Rights and Labour Law Conference. Sean presented as part of the panel “2020 Vision – Key Precedents from an Unprecedented Year,” which reviewed recent, important labour and human rights decisions. Read More

Morgan Rowe Presents on Employers’ Duty to Address Workplace Stress

On October 20, 2020, Morgan Rowe presented as part of a professional learning program presented jointly by Lancaster House and the University of Toronto. The multi-day program addressed managing and promoting mental health in the workplace. Morgan spoke as part of a panel on employers’ legal obligations to address workplace stress and other workplace mental health issues. Read More

Is there recourse for COVID-19 discrimination?

Ravenlaw gratefully acknowledges the contribution of this post by articling student Simcha Walfish. As the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has noted, the “COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a rise in stigma and discrimination against people who have the virus; people from countries where the virus originated or are considered hot zones; people who have travelled recently; or even those who it is believed have come in contact with... Read More

Bargaining Unit Positions May Be Tied to Work Location, Trigger Job Posting and Seniority Rights

In a recent grievance decision between the Limestone District School Board and CUPE Local 1480, Arbitrator Jesse Nyman found that changing a bargaining unit member’s work location may eliminate a position and create a vacancy, triggering the mandatory posting provisions of a collective agreement. In 2013, the Employer decided to close two of its secondary schools in Kingston, Ontario and to construct a new secondary school. The grievance began when... Read More

Alison McEwen to Present at Labour and Human Rights Conference

On December 8, 2020, Alison McEwen will be speaking as part of Lancaster House’s annual “Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector” conference. Alison will present as part of a panel on bargaining and negotiation priorities in the post-COVID-19 world. The panel will discuss how the pandemic has caused broader policy shifts and how these shifts are likely to affect bargaining in the public sector. Read More

Wassim Garzouzi Appointed President of Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers

RavenLaw is pleased to announce that one of its partners, Wassim Garzouzi, has been unanimously appointed as the President of the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers (CALL) as of July 30, 2020. CALL is a voluntary organization comprised of approximately 600 lawyers who represent the labour movement across Canada. The Association endeavours to protect and advance the interests of workers in the forums where labour law is made and administered.... Read More