Ontario (Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development) v. Greater Sudbury (City) is significant for employers navigating due diligence under OHSA. It affirms that due diligence is not a standard of perfection but a fact-driven inquiry measured against what was genuinely within the accused’s control.
Author: Hicks Morley
Key Changes to the HRTO’s Rules of Procedure and Practice Directions Took Effect August 17, 2026
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has updated its Rules of Procedure and Practice Directions. The HRTO also introduced two new Practice Directions and process improvements.
Employer Conduct, Frustrated Contracts, and the Limits of Benefit Deductibility
In Hedrick v. Johnston Meier Insurance Agencies Ltd., Justice Bennett of the Supreme Court of British Columbia addressed two issues that will be of interest to employers: when an employer may rely on frustration of contract, and when statutory benefit payments may be deducted from wrongful dismissal damages.
Game, Set, Compensable: When Workplace Pickleball Becomes a Competitive Sport
The Alberta Appeals Commission ruled that a worker’s arm injury, sustained while playing pickleball during employer-authorized group exercise, was compensable under Workers’ Compensation Board Policy 02-01.
BC Court of Appeal Upholds Fixed-Term Employment Commitment in Business Acquisition
BCCA decision confirms agreements arising from single transaction will be read harmoniously to give effect to parties’ overall bargain.
Final Means Final: Settlement Enforced by Ontario Labour Relations Board
In Yolande Linton v. Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (Board) upheld and enforced a settlement between the parties, dismissing the Applicant’s unlawful reprisal claim under section 50 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. For employers, this decision reinforces that clearly communicated and accepted settlement terms can be…
Ontario Court of Appeal Confirms No Charter Right to Deceptive Workplace Access
In Animal Justice v. Ontario (Attorney General), 2026 ONCA 380, the Court of Appeal for Ontario unanimously reversed the lower court and upheld the constitutionality of the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 (Act) and its regulation, General, O. Reg. 701/20 (Regulation).
Past Conduct, Present Cause: Ontario Court Upholds After-Acquired Cause in Birnbaum v. Dr. Chan
What happens when an employer discovers serious misconduct only after terminating an employee without cause? In Birnbaum v. Dr. Chan, the Ontario Superior Court confirmed that employees are not insulated from the consequences of serious misconduct committed before termination simply because it was discovered afterwards.
Alberta Court Finds Executive’s Misrepresentation of Academic Qualifications Justifies Dismissal With Cause
In Tudor v Accurate Screen Ltd., 2026 ABKB 237, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench upheld a just cause dismissal where a VP falsified his academic credentials on his résumé.
A Deal Is a Deal: Lessons From Stribling v Starbucks Coffee Canada Inc.
In Stribling v Starbucks Coffee Canada Inc., the Ontario Superior Court addressed a scenario in which an employer made a separation offer that was accepted in writing by the employee. However, the employee did not sign the release that was delivered to him by the employer and then sued for wrongful dismissal. The court treated…