In an important decision for employers, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunal) confirmed that distinction does not necessarily amount to discrimination. In Zanette v. Ottawa Chamber Music Society, the Tribunal held that the Ottawa Chamber Music Society’s request that a volunteer usher (Zanette) remove a rainbow sticker from his name badge did not constitute…
Industry: Colleges
Ryan Markesic
Ryan Markesic is a labour and employment lawyer practising out of Hicks Morley’s Toronto office in all areas of workplace law and in civil litigation. Ryan has assisted in arbitrations, tribunals and matters before all levels of courts including the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal. He has a particular interest and experience in advising and representing colleges and universities on a variety of issues.
Ontario Court Declares Back-To-Work Legislation in College Sector Constitutional
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has just released an important decision upholding the constitutionality of the Ontario government’s 2017 back-to-work legislation in the college sector. The legislation in question was the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Labour Dispute Resolution Act, 2017 (Act). The Act legislated the end to the longest college-sector strike in…
Daryl Seupersad
Daryl has developed a specialized practice in advising and representing employers with their workers’ compensation claims management and appeals.
The Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent
As discussed in our February 28, 2024 FTR Now, on February 26, 2024 the Ontario government introduced Bill 166, Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 (Bill 166). Bill 166 received Royal Assent on May 16, 2024. Policy Requirements Bill 166 amends the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act (Act) to require every college…
Ontario Announces Public Hearings on Bill 166
The Standing Committee on Social Policy (Committee) will hold public hearings to consider Bill 166, Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024, on Monday, April 15, 2024 and Tuesday, April 16, 2024. For an overview of the changes proposed by Bill 166, see our FTR Now Ontario Tables Bill Introducing Policy Requirements for Colleges and…
Ontario Tables Bill Introducing Policy Requirements for Colleges and Universities
Bill 166, Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024 (Bill 166) was tabled by the Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities (Minister) on February 26, 2024. If passed, Bill 166 will require every college of applied arts and technology (College) and publicly assisted university (University) to have a student mental health policy and a policy…
The Year in Review – 2023 Cases of Note
We are back with our annual review of the prior year’s notable cases that we believe will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals. We also identify some cases to watch for in 2024. Next week, we will bring you our review of notable 2023 legislative updates. Cases of Note Employment Termination of…
Ontario Announces Proposed Changes to Employment Requirements, Including Disclosure of Salary Ranges in Job Postings
On November 6, 2023, the Ontario government announced it will introduce legislation to require Ontario employers to disclose salary ranges in job postings. The legislation would also require employers to disclose whether they used artificial intelligence during the hiring process. Other proposed changes include: Further, the government announced that it will be conducting consultations on…
Coordinating Committee Vice-Presidents Human Resources Conference: Annual Arbitration Activity Update
At this annual human resources conference, Kathryn Meehan, Gregory Power and Carey O’Connor will be speaking to HR personnel from Ontario colleges. They will examine some of the latest arbitration decisions and explain how they impact colleges generally.