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”).
Industry: Universities
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…
Emerging Issues in University Governance and Academic Administration
The purpose of this session is to provide University Counsel and Senior Academic Administrators with an overview of the latest legal developments affecting Universities. The University sector faces enormous economic and legal pressures that are driving rapid changes on campuses across Canada.
Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education
Topic Diversity, Change and Conflict Management
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.”