Amarkai Laryea Joins RavenLaw!

We are ecstatic to welcome Amarkai Laryea into the partnership at RavenLaw! Amarkai has dedicated his career to working within Canada’s labour movement. He will maintain a dynamic, fully-bilingual practice in all areas of labour, human rights, and administrative law. Before joining RavenLaw, Amarkai was a leader in the legal services department of one of Canada’s largest unions. He has appeared before labour arbitrators and administrative tribunals throughout the country.... Read More

Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench Rules that Manitoba Government Discriminated Against First Nations Children in the Child Welfare System

On May 18, 2022, the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench ruled that the Manitoba government discriminated against First Nations children in Manitoba foster care by denying them the federal Children Special Allowance (“CSA”) to which they are entitled and which is meant to be used exclusively for the care, maintenance, advancement and education of children in care.  In Manitoba, approximately 82% of children in the child welfare system are First Nations.... Read More

Wassim Garzouzi Joins BCCLA Board of Directors

  RavenLaw is pleased to announce that Wassim Garzouzi has joined the Board of Directors for the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA).   The BCCLA is the oldest and most active civil liberties and human rights group in Canada. The BCCLA has been actively advancing human rights and civil liberties through litigation, law reform, community-based legal advocacy, and public engagement and education for the last half century.   As a Director, Wassim will... Read More

Dayna Steinfeld Awarded the Advocates’ Society David Stockwood Memorial Prize

Dayna Steinfeld is the 2022 recipient of The David Stockwood Memorial Prize. The prize is awarded to an advocacy-related written article, judged for its merit by a panel. Dayna’s winning submission, “"Finding a Balance - Navigating the Advocacy Challenge for Union Side Labour Lawyers in Cases Involving Allegations of Member on Member Sexual Violence" examines the challenge for union-side lawyers of cross-examining a union member called as an employer witness... Read More

Time Off in Lieu of Overtime: 3 Things You Need To Know

An increasing number of employers resort to providing employees with time off for the hours they work overtime, instead of paying them overtime pay. Employees may have questions about when they may receive this benefit and the rules associated with it. Here are three things you need to know regarding time off in lieu of overtime.  What is time off in lieu of overtime? The Employment Standards Act provides that... Read More

Wrongful Dismissal In Ontario: What You Should Know

[The information on this page applies only to non-unionized employees in Ontario, working in provincially regulated industries. It is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice, which cannot be given without consideration of your individual circumstances.] What is wrongful dismissal? Many employees may believe that wrongful dismissal is when an employer dismisses them for the wrong reasons. However, generally, an employer can terminate an employee for any reason... Read More

Constructive Dismissal In Ontario: What You Need To Know

[The information on this page applies only to non-unionized employees in Ontario, working in provincially regulated industries. It is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice, which cannot be given without consideration of your individual circumstances.] What is constructive dismissal? Constructive dismissal is when your employer has not formally terminated your employment, but has seriously changed or breached the terms of your employment contract, to the point that... Read More

Employer’s bad faith conduct may invalidate termination clause in employment contract

By Amanda Montague-Reinholdt If your employment has been terminated without cause, one of the first questions an employment lawyer will ask you is whether you have a written employment contract. If you do, the employment lawyer will review it to determine if the contract sets out your entitlements when your employment is terminated without cause. Many employment contracts state that employees will only receive the minimum notice and severance entitlements... Read More

Dayna Steinfeld to Present on Tips for Mediations, Informal Proceedings in Labour and Employment Law

On May 9, 2022, Dayna Steinfeld will be presenting on a panel hosted by the Manitoba Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution, Labour & Employment Law, and Legal Research sections. Dayna will discuss legal research and practice tips for mediations and informal proceedings in labour and employment law. For more information or to register for this lunch-hour session, please visit the MBA website. Read More

Alison McEwen to Present on Hybrid Work Arrangements

On June 2, 2022, Alison McEwen will present as a speaker during the Law Society of Ontario’s Eight-Minute Employment Lawyer. Alison will be discussing the use of hybrid work arrangements since COVID, particularly in situations involving the duty to accommodate. For more information on this upcoming presentation or to register, please visit the event website. Read More