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

David Yazbeck Speaking on Whistleblowers

On May 13, David Yazbeck will be speaking at the Lancaster House Halifax Human Rights and Labour Law Conference.  David is participating in a panel called “Don’t Shoot the Messenger: Dealing with whistleblowers in the modern workplace”.  The panel will examine whistleblower legislation, discuss human rights protections, and explore the issue of reprisals. Read More

Andrew Astritis presents to Canadian Foundation for Labour Rights

Andrew Astritis recently spoke at a conference hosted by the Canadian Foundation for Labour Rights that examined three recent decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada on the issues of labour rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Andrew’s presentation addressed the implications of the Court’s decision in Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v Saskatchewan on essential services legislation. The conference was organized in conjunction with the Canadian Labour... Read More

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Issues Important Decision on Human Rights Remedies

On May 7, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issued an important decision granting over $310,000 in remedies for discriminatory practices engaged in by the Canada Border Services Agency in violation of sections 7 and 10 of the Canadian Human Rights Act. In an earlier decision, the Tribunal found that the complainant, Levan Turner, was discriminated against by CBSA on the basis of his race, colour, and perceived disability of obesity.... Read More

RavenLaw Lawyers Participate in University of Ottawa Labour Arbitration Course

This month, Andrew Astritis and Wassim Garzouzi participated in an upper-year labour arbitration course at the University of Ottawa Law School. Andrew and Wassim enjoyed serving as panelists for the year-end labour arbitration moot and providing students with comments and feedback on their presentations. Read More