RavenLaw Supports the Workers’ Bowl

On November 4, 2017, RavenLaw participated in the 6th annual Workers’ Bowl, an annual fundraiser in Toronto for the Workers’ Action Centre, a worker-based organization that advocates for fair working conditions for vulnerable workers. The Workers’ Action Centre has a Workers’ Rights Info Line that workers can call for support, offers workshops on workers’ rights and is part of the campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15. The bowling... Read More

You Can’t Take It With You: Good Faith and Fiduciary Duties of Departing Employees

In a recent decision, the Ontario Superior Court affirmed that departing employees can owe a duty of good faith and a fiduciary duty to their former employer, and a violation of those duties can give rise to a significant damages award. This decision marks an important reminder to employees regarding their obligations when leaving their employment. Background The Prim8 Group Inc. is a communications agency who hired Richard Tisi, initially... Read More

Michael Fisher Presented at Human Rights and Labour Law Conference

On November 8, 2017, Michael Fisher spoke as part of the panel “Fitness to Work: Ensuring a Safe Work Environment in an Era of Marijuana, Opioids, and Other Drugs,” at Lancaster House’s Human Rights and Labour Law Conference in Ottawa. The panel focused on the common misperceptions on the use of medical marijuana and other drugs, impairment testing in safety sensitive workplaces, an employee’s duty to disclose their use of... Read More

Federal Labour Board Affirms Statutory Freeze Principles During Collective Bargaining

In a pair of recent decisions, the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board confirmed the broad and purposive approach to the statutory freeze on terms and conditions of employment during collective bargaining. In Public Service Alliance of Canada v Treasury Board (Correctional Service Canada) and Public Service Alliance of Canada v Canada Revenue Agency, the Board found that the employer had violated the freeze by altering terms and... Read More

Morgan Rowe Featured as a REACH Canada Volunteer

Morgan Rowe is honored to be a “Featured Volunteer” on the REACH Canada website.  Morgan has volunteered with REACH as part of its pilot project providing legal information clinics to individuals with disabilities in Ottawa.  Morgan also provides pro bono legal services through REACH’s lawyer referral service.  REACH has provided this service and public education for individuals living with disabilities since 1981. RavenLaw is a long-term, proud supporter of REACH. Read More

James Cameron to Present at Disability Insurance Conference

On October 18, 2017, James Cameron will present at the Canadian Institute’s Disability Insurance Conference. James will be discussing litigation strategies in LTD benefit claims, specifically addressing strategies for streamlining the litigation process and how to present your case to achieve best outcomes in a timely and cost-effective manner. For more information or to register for the conference, please visit the Canadian Institute’s conference website.   Read More

Holiday Hours

Please note our office will be closed from December 23, 2017 until January 1, 2018. We will reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 8:30 am. Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year. Read More

Ravenlaw opens Kingston Office

We are delighted to announce the opening of our Kingston office, enabling us to better serve our existing and future labour and employment clients. Kingston will now have access to an exclusively employee side law firm, with substantial experience in all aspects of labour, employment, long term disability and human rights. For further information on how to reach the Kingston office, click here. Read More

Great moments in Canada’s labour history

RavenLaw gratefully acknowledges the contribution of this post by articling student Marlee Olson Even before Canada became a nation 150 years ago, workers in Canada were fighting for their rights. Although labour rights activists have had a lot to celebrate over the years, it has been a long and arduous journey. In honour of Labour Day as well as Canada’s 150th birthday this year, here are some of the highlights... Read More

Employers have a duty to accommodate prospective employees with a disability

In a recent decision, a Board of Inquiry under Nova Scotia’s Human Rights Code found that an employer had violated its duty to accommodate a prospective employee on the basis of disability. This decision provides important confirmation that, like existing employees, prospective new hires also have a right to be free from discrimination, and to be accommodated up to the point of undue hardship. Background The Nova Scotia Health Authority... Read More