On September 8, 2016, changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) will come into force. The amendments require employers to develop policies and programs to prevent harassment, including sexual harassment, in the workplace. The Ministry of Labour has now finalized its “Code of Practice to Address Workplace Harassment under Ontario’s Occupational Health and…
Industry: Universities
Insights for Universities on New Government Inclusivity Initiatives Targeting Gender Identification Information
In this FTR Now, we discuss the new government initiatives intended to promote inclusivity and ensure equitable treatment of trans and non-binary gendered persons, and how they may impact Ontario Universities.
New Regulations Outline Details of Requirements Under Ontario’s Sexual Violence and Harassment Legislation for Colleges and Universities
The Ontario government has filed two regulations mandating the content of sexual violence policies which colleges and universities must develop and implement pursuant to the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015 (“Act”).
Court Reaffirms Broad Academic Discretion of Universities
In Tran v. University of Western Ontario, the Ontario Superior Court recently considered both the ability of an institution to shield itself from civil action on the basis of “academic discretion” and the liability of the individual employees of the institution in exercising such discretion. Justice Dunphy accepted that universities enjoy broad discretion in respect of academic…
Universities and Colleges Take Note: Sexual Violence and Harassment Legislation Passed
On March 8, 2016, legislation addressing sexual violence and harassment was passed and received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015 (“Act”) requires publicly assisted colleges and universities and private career colleges to develop a sexual violence policy and creates…
Sexual Violence and Harassment Legislation Passed
On March 8, 2016, legislation addressing sexual violence and harassment was passed and received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015 (“Act”) creates specific duties for all employers to develop policies and procedures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace,…
Successfully defended a university at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario with respect to an application claiming discrimination on the basis of disability.
Successfully defended a university at the Human Rights Tribunal with respect to an application claiming discrimination on the basis of disability.
Successfully represented a university at a judicial review application at the Divisional Court where an arbitration award upholding the dismissal of a professor was challenged.
Successfully represented a university at a judicial review application at the Divisional Court where an arbitration award upholding the dismissal of a professor was challenged.
Successfully resisted production of comparator files at arbitration on behalf of a university client.
Successfully resisted production of comparator files at arbitration on behalf of a university client.
Nadine Zacks Quoted in The Lawyers Weekly Article on Sexual Harassment Law
Hicks Morley’s Nadine Zacks was quoted in the January 15, 2016 The Lawyers Weekly article entitled “Broader Scope to Sexual Harassment Law.”