RavenLaw Articling Student Daniel Tucker-Simmons Wins Housing Justice Case

On January 13, 2015, Daniel Tucker-Simmons, an articling student at RavenLaw, won a case before the Landlord and Tenant Board on behalf of ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). ACORN has been fighting for years to improve housing conditions in the low – mid income areas in Ottawa for its members and others. The case involved a landlord’s failure to repair a 150-meter stretch of walkway which had... Read More

The Federal Court Endorses a Robust Approach to Protection against Workplace Violence

On November 13, 2014, in PSAC v Attorney General of Canada, 2014 FC 1066, the Federal Court considered Part XX of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, which imposes a host of obligations on employers to prevent and respond to workplace violence. The Court’s decision affirmed the broad definition of workplace violence under the Regulations, and the mandatory obligations on employers to appoint an impartial person to investigate employee... Read More

Supreme Court of Canada affirms collective bargaining rights of RCMP members

In Mounted Police Association of Ontario v Attorney General of Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada today ruled that all workers have a constitutional right to be represented in collective bargaining by an association of their choosing that is independent of the employer. Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are excluded from the Public Service Labour Relations Act. Instead, they are required to address labour relations issues through... Read More

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