Practice Area: Human Rights

AODA Emergency Preparedness Guides and Compliance Reporting Tool Now Available

· 3 min read

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…

Ontario Human Rights Code Independent Review: Consultation Paper Published

· 1 min read

As part of the independent, mandated review of the changes resulting from the enactment of amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) which came into effect June 30, 2008, a consultation paper has been published which identifies key issues and points for discussion for the public consultation process which will take place in…

Ontario Human Rights Review Chair Invites Comments on 2008 Changes to Human Rights Code

· 4 min read

The Ontario Human Rights Review Chair, lawyer Andrew Pinto, has published a Consultation Paper inviting public commentary, further to the review process mandated by section 57 of the Human Rights Code (Code). That section requires that the Minister appoint a person to review the implementation and effectiveness of changes resulting from the 2008 amendments to…

Filing Deadline Announced for AODA Customer Service Standards Accessibility Reports

· 1 min read

On December 21, 2011, the Ontario government confirmed that private sector and not-for-profit organizations have until December 31, 2012 to file accessibility reports required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) Customer Service Standards regulation. The government also prepared “tip sheets” to assist organizations in meeting the emergency response requirements under the…

Stephen Shamie Quoted in Queen’s Law Reports

Hicks Morley partner Stephen Shamie was quoted in the 2011 edition of Queen’s Law Reports. In an article entitled “Centre for Law in the Contemporary Workplace,” Stephen comments on the end of mandatory retirement and identifies that when challenges arise in areas where mandatory retirement can be justified, such as jobs where strenuous physical activity…

Are You Prepared for the AODA?

· 4 min read

As the new year approaches, some key compliance deadlines under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA“) are also approaching. In this FTR Now, we review what needs to be done by employers by January 1, 2012. ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE By January 1, 2012, private and not-for-profit organizations should be in…

Human Rights Tribunal is not a Judicial Review Body

· 5 min read

The Supreme Court of Canada has issued a significant decision limiting the jurisdiction of a human rights tribunal to consider matters that have already been dealt with in another proceeding. In British Columbia (Workers’ Compensation Board) v. Figliola, the Supreme Court considered whether the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal had jurisdiction to hear a matter that…

Bill 181, Mandatory Retirement Legislation For Firefighters, Receives Royal Assent

· 1 min read

On June 1, 2011, Bill 181, Fire Protection and Prevention Amendment Act, 2011, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill 181 amends the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 to provide for the mandatory retirement at age 60 of firefighters regularly assigned to fire suppression duties, in certain circumstances, and impose a duty of fair…