Partner, Toronto
Direct: 416.864.7247
Main: 416.362.1011
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Year of Call: Ontario, 1988
Biography
John Saunders is a senior labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. He has over three decades of experience advising employers on a wide range of labour and employment issues. John’s practice includes collective agreement negotiations, rights and interest arbitrations, human rights applications and wrongful dismissal litigation.
John has particular expertise in municipal law with regard to fire and paramedic issues. He provides ongoing negotiation advice to fire and paramedic departments on staffing, deployment, benefit issues, accommodation, mandatory retirement, presumptive disability legislation, negotiations and interest arbitrations. He has represented numerous municipalities and corporations in coroners’ inquests and judicial inquiries into fatalities.
In addition, John works with employers in the healthcare, manufacturing, waste disposal, forestry, nuclear, property assessment and call centre sectors.
John is the past chairman of the Board of Elders of his local church. He is an avid downhill skier and enjoys fixing things at his cottage.
Practice Areas
Employment Law Human Rights Labour Relations Litigation Occupational Health
Industries
Energy & Utilities Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal and Provincial) Healthcare Manufacturing Municipalities & Municipal Agencies Technology Transportation & Warehousing
Awards & Recognition
The Best Lawyers in Canada™ (2006–2023)
Labour and Employment Law
Who’s Who Legal (2017–2018)
Labour & Employment Law
Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2014–2023)
Employment Law, Labour Relations (Repeatedly Recommended)
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (2014)
President’s Award
Memberships & Affiliations
Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers – Member
Canadian Bar Association – Member
Ontario Bar Association – Member (Labour & Employment Law and Municipal Law)
Select Publications & Presentations
“How to Develop an Establishing and Regulating Bylaw” Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs Trade Show Conference (May 7, 2022)
“Working from Home is One Change that is Likely to Stay” Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association Virtual One-Day Symposium Series: Managing Change in Fluid Environments (May 14, 2021)
“Dealing with Picket Lines and Picket Injunctions” Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association (March 3, 2021)
“Labour Relations 101” Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs Labour Relations Seminar (January 19–January 21, 2021)
“What is the Difference in Planning in a Right to Strike World versus an Interest Arbitration World?” and “How do you Prepare for a Labour Dispute?” Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association Virtual One-Day Symposium Series: Negotiations Strategies: Creating and Claiming Value (February 26, 2021)
“Managing your Fire Department during COVID-19” Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (April 29, 2020)
“Urban Breakout Session: Staffing Issues” and “Suburban/Rural Breakout: Staffing Issues” Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs Labour Relations Seminar (January 29, 2020)
Education
Queen’s University, LL.B.
University of Toronto, B.Sc. (Hons.)
