Labour Appreciation Awards a huge success!

On December 1, 2014, the Ottawa and District Labour Council hosted its annual Labour Appreciation Awards to recognize and celebrate the dedicated work of unions, members and activists in advancing workers’ rights. In total, five awards were presented: Community Activist Award, Labour Pioneer Award, Health and Safety Activist Award, United Way Ottawa Ambassador and Labour Activist Award. We congratulate all the nominees and winners. Along with the Ottawa and District... Read More

10K Canada Post Workers Receive Pay Equity Cheques

The Toronto Star reports that 10,000 current and former Canada Post employees have received pay equity cheques from the Crown Corporation. The payouts are the result of almost three decades of human rights litigation and a landmark victory at the Supreme Court of Canada. The complaint was first filed in 1983 by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) on behalf of 2300 clerical workers. Canada Post has stated that... Read More

Holiday Hours

Our office hours during the holidays are as follows: December 24 – closed at noon December 25-26 - closed December 29-30 – opened December 31 – closed at noon January 1-2 - closed  Thank you and Happy Holidays. Read More

Ottawa Legal Information Centre Launches!

On January 22, 2015, the Ottawa Legal Information Centre officially opened its doors to the community with a hugely successful launch event that gathered hundreds of residents of Ottawa, from all walks of life. The Centre provides free legal information and referral services on a confidential basis, with or without an appointment, to all residents of the Ottawa region, regardless of income. Conveniently located in downtown Ottawa, the Centre offers... Read More

Canada Industrial Relations Board finds Employer Breached Duty to Bargain in Good Faith by Failing to Inform Union of the Reason for Not Ratifying the Collective Agreement

On December 10, 2014, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (“CIRB”) released its decision finding that an employer, the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation Council, breached its duty to bargain in good faith when it failed to communicate to the union its reasons for deciding not to ratify a first collective agreement. The employer and the union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, reached a tentative agreement on a first collective agreement... Read More

The Impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in MPAO—Expanded Rights to Collective Bargaining

The Supreme Court of Canada's recent decision in Mounted Police Association of Ontario v Attorney General of Canada ("MPAO") reboots the Court's case law on freedom of association. This landmark ruling has significant potential implications for the development of the law and for workers’ rights. Legal impact of MPAO For labour and constitutional lawyers, the most significant outcome of the case is the Court's rejection of the “effective impossibility” test and the... Read More

Wassim Garzouzi Speaks at Algonquin College

On Thursday, December 11, 2014, Wassim Garzouzi was invited to give a presentation entitled “Introduction to Effective Labour Representation” to the members of the Local Executive Committee of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Local 415. The Discussion dealt with a review of the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act, the CAAT-A Collective Agreement, as well as the roles and obligations of Union Stewards towards their membership.   Read More

James Cameron presents on Disability in the Workplace

On January 30, 2015, James Cameron and RavenLaw articling student Daniel Tucker-Simmons gave a presentation to Health Canada employees on the challenges of facilitating a successful return to work for employees off on disability leave. The presentation, entitled “Navigating the Return to Work: Disability Deserves Dignity”, charted a roadmap for both managers and employees, beginning with the legal framework governing the duty to accommodate employees with disabilities, through to the... Read More

Congratulations to David Yazbeck on 10 Years as a Host at CKCU Radio!

David Yazbeck recently celebrated his 10th year anniversary as the host of the Thursday Morning Special Blend on CKCU FM. The Thursday Morning Special Blend focuses on local arts and rights issues, with plenty of live local music and interesting interviews. David regularly has representatives from the local music community, GCTC, Amnesty International, Rod Phillips on wine, and more.  David started the show in 2004, inspired by his passions for... Read More

Supreme Court finds a Constitutional Right to Strike

"Clearly the arc bends increasingly towards workplace justice”: The Supreme Court of Canada today released a landmark decision in Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v Saskatchewan, ruling that section 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects workers’ right to strike. In bold and sweeping reasons on behalf of the Majority, Justice Abella outlined the historical, international, and jurisprudential foundations for this right, emphasizing that a right to strike... Read More