Government to Review the ESA “Elect To Work” Exemption and the Use of Temporary Help Agencies

On May 21, 2008, the Ontario Ministry of Labour released a consultation paper entitled A Consultation Paper on Work through Temporary Help Agencies. The paper is seeking input on a number of issues specifically related to Temporary Help Agencies, including: barriers to permanent employment (whether through fees or contractual restrictions); fees charged to workers by…

More Information on Family Status Accommodation

As many of you will know, we are currently presenting a series of client conferences across the province. One of the human rights issues we have been featuring in our conferences is the accommodation of family status. We have received some requests from attendees for case citations for some of the decisions referenced in our…

OHRC Draft Policy on Mental Health Discrimination and Police Record Checks

In February 2008, the Ontario Human Rights Commission released a Draft Policy on Mental Health Discrimination and Police Records Check for public consultation. The draft Policy is aimed at addressing concerns that the requirements, policies and practices relating to police record checks can have a discriminatory impact on persons with mental health-related disabilities and those…

The Kajouji Case: A Recent Tragedy Focuses Renewed Attention on Managing Students at Risk

The tragic recent events involving 18-year old Carleton University student Nadia Kajouji have once again called attention to universities’ responsibilities when managing students who are at risk of harming themselves or others. As is now well known from media reports, Ms. Kajouji’s body was recovered from the Rideau River in Ottawa in late April, and…

School Board Update – April 2008

IN THIS ISSUE: Staff Meetings WSIB Case Management Prep Time Payback Program Principals Return from Maternity Leave Noon-Hour Entry Time Sick leave Credits STAFF MEETINGS The issue of mandatory attendance at staff meetings scheduled outside of the instructional day, and the topics or material discussed at such meetings, has arisen at various Boards. An October…

Update on Family Day

Immediately following last year’s provincial election, the Ontario Government created a new public holiday under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) – Family Day, which falls on the third Monday of each February. Shortly after the introduction of the new holiday, employers turned their mind to the question of whether they would be required…

Termination of Municipal Officers: The New Rules

This Client Update follows up on our March 2008 Update regarding the Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark decision in Dunsmuir v. New Brunswick, 2008 SCC 9 (CanLII). As discussed in the previous Update, the Supreme Court significantly reformed the law relating to the termination of public office holders. The Court clearly signalled that where office…

Information & Privacy Post – Volume-3, Number-1

In this issue Canadian e-discovery enters next era FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – EXCEPTIONS – PRIVILEGE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – EXCEPTIONS – UNJUSTIFIED INVASION OF PERSONAL PRIVACY FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – FREEDOM OF THE PRESS PRIVACY – ACCESS TO PERSONAL INFORMATION PRIVACY – APPLICATION, EXCLUSIONS AND MATTERS OF JURISDICTION PRIVACY – COLLECTION USE AND DISCLOSURE –…