Am I being discriminated against at work?

Canadian law protects workers from being treated differently based on certain prohibited grounds of discrimination. The prohibited grounds are set out in human rights legislation, such as the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. They include race, ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, and family status, among others. The Ontario Code also provides explicit protection on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. The... Read More

Seeking punitive and mental distress damages in a Long-Term Disability (LTD) Claim

In addition to compensation for long-term disability benefits, it is possible to also claim damages for mental distress from the insurance company, as well as punitive damages to punish the company for its conduct. However, to successfully claim these amounts, the relevant legal tests must be satisfied. The Ontario Court of Appeal recently rendered a decision which clarifies the test to be applied in determining punitive and mental distress damages.... Read More

RavenLaw Helps “Break the Cycle” with the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre

RavenLaw was proud to support the 4th annual Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre Spin-A-Thon on Saturday, April 25th. The firm provided a financial donation to support the participation of a Ravenlaw team. The ORCC is dedicated to eradication violence against women and providing support to survivors and the people who love them. All proceeds from the event will go towards ongoing short- and long-term counseling for survivors, the 24-hour Crisis Line... Read More

Office Closure

Please note that our office will be closed on Friday, April 3, 2015 and Monday, April 6, 2015. Read More

May Day: the Labour Movement’s Legacy

May 1st, also known as May Day or International Workers’ Day, has long stood as the date on which workers gather to celebrate the past victories of the labour movement and to advance ongoing concerns facing workers around the world. While May Day has its roots in the historical labour struggles in Canada and the United States, it has become a touchstone for worker’s rights and labour activism that remains... Read More

Limitation periods for long-term disability (LTD) claims

Applying for long-term disability (LTD) benefits can feel like a game of cat and mouse, in which the insurer repeatedly invites claimants to appeal the denial of benefits internally. Often these internal appeals are met with further denials. What many claimants may not realize is that, while these internal appeals and denials are occurring, the time limit to bring a court action continues to run. In Ontario, most long-term disability... Read More

RavenLaw Proud to Support the Ten Oaks Project Bowl-a-Thon

RavenLaw was proud to support this year’s Ten Oaks Project Camp Bowl-a-Thon. This annual event helps bring much-needed funds to the Ten Oaks Project organization and connects children and youth from LGBTQ+identities, families and communities with their supporters. This year’s event surpassed the $40,000 fundraising goal. The Ten Oaks Project engages and connects children and youth from LGBTQ+ communities through programs and activities rooted in play.   Read More

David Yazbeck Named as an Advisor to FOLKRUM

David Yazbeck has been named an Advisor to FOLKRUM, Ottawa’s community music venue. FOLKRUM is an independent, not-for-profit organization working toward the creation of a creativity hub and music facility to serve Ottawa, Outaouais, the valley and surrounding areas.   Read More

RavenLaw Partnering with MESH Ottawa for Presentation on Disability Insurance Issues

On May 12, 2015,  RavenLaw lawyers Raphaëlle Laframboise-Carignan, Morgan Rowe and Dayna Steinfeld will be participating in a panel discussion on disability insurance issues as part of an International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Fibromyalgia (ME/FM) Awareness Day event hosted by MESH Ottawa. Topics of discussion will include the duty to accommodate, Canada Pension Plan Disability, and short-term and long-term disability benefits. The panel will also feature Margaret Parlor, President of the National... Read More

Arbitrator finds Hospital Sick Leave Policy Discriminatory

In a recent arbitration decision, Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Local 464 v Ottawa Hospital, Arbitrator Mary Ellen Cummings found that the Ottawa Hospital’s application of its short-term sick leave benefits discriminated against employees with chronic disabilities, contrary to the Human Rights Code. The collective agreement language at issue in the case is common throughout most of the hospital sector in Ontario, and this decision sets an important precedent for... Read More