Further to its Economic Action Plan 2012, the federal government has announced the creation of a Panel on Labour Market Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. The Panel has been charged with identifying private sector successes and best practices regarding labour market participation of persons with disabilities. It will also identify barriers and disincentives to employment…
Practice Area: Human Rights
Divisional Court Affirms Pay Equity Wage Grids and Restricts Tribunal’s Use of Human Rights Code
In a recent decision that will have implications for employers and service providers across Ontario, the Ontario Divisional Court has upheld an important 2010 ruling of the Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal (“PEHT”). In Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1999 v. Lakeridge Health Corporation, the Court held that the decision of the PEHT regarding the…
Gender Identity, Gender Expression Amendments to Human Rights Code Now In Force
On June 19, 2012, Bill 33, Toby’s Act (Right to be Free from Discrimination and Harassment Because of Gender Identity or Gender Expression), 2012 received Royal Assent and came into force on that date. As previously reported, Bill 33 amends the Human Rights Code to specify that every person has a right to equal treatment…
Reaching Out – First Edition
Dear Friends, The Social Service Sector Practice Group is pleased to introduce its first FTR Now edition of Reaching Out. Reaching Out is our Social Service Update designed to provide you with legal updates on new and developing cases, trends and topics that are relevant to your sector and which provide you with information and…
Gender Identity, Gender Expression now Protected by Ontario Human Rights Code
On June 13, 2012, the Ontario legislature passed an amendment to the Ontario Human Rights Code which extends protection against discrimination on the grounds of gender identity or gender expression. The amendment was proposed in a Private Member Bill and received support of all three parties. This FTR Now discusses the amendment and its implications…
Bill Adds Gender Identity, Gender Expression to Human Rights Code
On June 13, 2012, a Private Member Bill with three-party support passed at Third Reading, as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. Bill 33, Toby’s Act (Right to be Free from Discrimination and Harassment Because of Gender Identity or Gender Expression), 2012 amends the Human Rights Code to specify that every person has…
School Bus Transportation Policy Deemed Discriminatory
A recent decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“HRTO”) has added to the fast growing group of “family status” discrimination cases. J.O. v. London District Catholic School Board highlights that there are many different ways a school board may be vulnerable to claims of family status discrimination. In this FTR Now we review…
College Update
The Colleges Practice Group at Hicks Morley is pleased to introduce our first FTR Now edition of College Update. Our College Update is designed to provide you with timely legal updates on topics that are of particular interest to the Colleges community, as well as information about, and analysis of, key developments that impact your…
Court Clarifies Evidence Required to Establish Prima Facie Case of Discrimination
For employers and service providers appearing before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“HRTO”), a recent decision of the Divisional Court involving racial profiling will be of interest. The decision, Peel Law Association v. Pieters, provides significant clarification on the evidence required to establish a prima facie case of discrimination. In this FTR Now we…
AODA Emergency Preparedness Guides and Compliance Reporting Tool Now Available
As we reported in our November 17, 2011 FTR Now “Are You Prepared for the AODA?,” private and not-for-profit sector organizations in Ontario with at least one employee were subject to a January 1, 2012 deadline to comply with the Customer Service Standards as well as the two emergency preparedness requirements under the Integrated Accessibility…