On behalf of universities, successfully defended various Human Rights Tribunal applications from students, staff and senior faculty claiming discrimination on various grounds of discrimination including race, gender, creed and psychological disability.
Practice Area: Human Rights
Successfully defended a school board against a human rights application alleging discrimination in the provision of special education to students.
Successfully defended a school board against a human rights application alleging discrimination in the provision of special education to students.
On behalf of universities, successfully defended wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal claims by senior administration alleging harassment and systemic discrimination.
On behalf of universities, successfully defended wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal claims by senior administration alleging harassment and systemic discrimination.
Appellate Court Reviews “Family Status” Test
The British Columbia Court of Appeal recently clarified the meaning and scope of the term “family status” in Envirocon Environmental Services, ULC v. Suen. This case confirmed the Campbell River test, which imposes a higher standard for establishing discrimination than the often-cited Federal Court of Appeal test in Johnstone, adding to the “family status” interpretation…
AODA Compliance Checklist
All organizations in Ontario which employ at least one employee are required to comply with a series of requirements under the standards established by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the regulations promulgated under it. In this Checklist, we provide a general overview of an organization’s AODA compliance obligations, along with checklists to assist you in assessing your degree of compliance and the anticipated timing for future compliance deadlines.
Accurate Design Benefits and Insurance Agencies Inc. Workplace Webinar – FocusOn: Medical Cannabis
Overview The legalization of cannabis for recreational use and the exponential growth of people using medicinal cannabis gives rise to challenges for employers and service providers. Our speakers will provide insights into legal developments related to medical and recreational cannabis for those working in employee benefits and human resources, including the impact of cannabis on…
Hicks Morley’s Accommodation Training Workshop Featured in The Lawyer’s Daily
The Lawyer’s Daily has featured Hicks Morley’s Accommodation Training Workshop program in an article published on February 13, 2019. “The grounds for accommodation have been in the Human Rights Code for some time, but they are certainly in the news more. They are increasingly at the forefront of discussions we’re having […] and employers are going to be…
Attention Ontario Colleges and Universities: It’s Time to Review Your Sexual Violence Policies!
All Ontario colleges and universities have an important task to complete soon. They must conduct a review of their sexual violence policies, and this review must consider student input.
Nadine Zacks Quoted in Benefits Canada on Sexual Harassment Claim by University Employee
Benefits Canada quoted Hicks Morley’s Nadine Zacks in a January 23, 2019 article titled “B.C. University Employee Alleges Sexual Harassment, University Denies Claim.” The article discusses a sexual harassment claim at a university in British Columbia, brought by a female employee against her male colleague.
An Update on the Status of Family Status – Just in Time for Family Day
In a recent decision released by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Tribunal found that an employer discriminated against the Applicant, a personal support worker, by failing to accommodate her special childcare needs. The Tribunal found that the Applicant’s employment was terminated at least in part because she was unable to offer more flexible hours due to her childcare obligations. The Tribunal awarded a remedy of $30,000 in compensation for injury to the Applicant’s dignity, feelings and self-respect.