Author: Hicks Morley

SCC establishes framework for “preferability” analysis under CPA s. 5(1)(d)

· 3 min read

The Supreme Court of Canada released a significant decision with respect to the s. 5(1)(d) “preferable procedure” criterion for certification of a proposed class action under the Class Proceedings Act, 1992 (“CPA”). The OSC investigated allegations that the appellant  implemented measures that reduced, but failed to negate, harm associated with certain market timing activities engaged in by…

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Extends “Family Status” Protection to Care for Mother-in-Law

· 3 min read

In a recent decision of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (the “Tribunal”), Hicks v. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Tribunal found that “family status” protection under the Canadian Human Rights Act (the “Act”) can extend to eldercare responsibilities for “in-laws.” The Complainant was employed by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (“HRSDC”) when…

Supreme Court of Canada Denies Leave to Appeal in Reduction of Retiree Benefits Case

· 4 min read

Today, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) denied leave to appeal from a decision of the British Columbia Court of Appeal (“BCCA”) in Lacey v. Weyerhaeuser Company Limited. The case concerned changes to certain post-retirement benefits for retired salaried employees (“Retirees”) of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited (“Weyerhaeuser”), and a predecessor company. At issue were fully-funded post-retirement…

Ontario Court of Appeal Upholds Malicious Prosecution Finding Against Municipality, Reduces Punitive Damages

· 3 min read

In a cautionary tale for employers, the Court of Appeal for Ontario has upheld a lower court decision which found a Township guilty of malicious prosecution in its actions relating to a dismissed employee. The quantum of punitive damages awarded is also a stark reminder that employee terminations must be conducted in a fair and…

Privacy Rights and A Union’s Duty to Represent its Membership

· 3 min read

Last week, a case that has significant labour relations and privacy implications was argued before the Supreme Court of Canada. At issue in Bernard v. Canada (Attorney General) is the appropriate balance between an individual’s privacy rights and a union’s right, and duty, to represent its membership. In other words, what employee personal information is…

Ontario Court of Appeal Decision Underscores Importance of Properly Drafted Restrictive Covenants

· 3 min read

A recent decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario reinforces the importance of carefully drafting restrictive covenants and considering what evidence is necessary to succeed on a summary judgment motion. The claim arose when individual employees left their employer to work for a competitor. The former employees were all subject to the same “non-competition”…

Supreme Court of Canada to Determine Whether Charter Protects Right to Strike

· 2 min read

The Supreme Court of Canada will decide whether the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the “Charter”) guarantees the right to strike for unions and their members. Earlier this year, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal found that the Charter does not protect the right to strike. A substantial component of the Court of Appeal’s decision…

Hicks Morley Information and Privacy Post – 2013

· 3 min read

Dear Friends: It’s early October 2013, and here’s what’s on our minds. With great pleasure, we’ve released this year’s Information and Privacy Post – a review of 60 information management and privacy cases that caught our attention in the last year. We like the exercise of producing the Post because pulling together and organizing recent…