Friel v. HUB International Limited, 2026 ONCA 313 offers a significant clarification on the interplay between employment agreements and separate equity participation agreements. The Court of Appeal confirmed that where an employee’s equity participation is governed by an agreement distinct from the employment agreement, disputes concerning that equity may fall outside the scope of the…
Practice Area: Litigation
Ontario Court of Appeal Confirms No Charter Right to Deceptive Workplace Access
In Animal Justice v. Ontario (Attorney General), 2026 ONCA 380, the Court of Appeal for Ontario unanimously reversed the lower court and upheld the constitutionality of the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 (Act) and its regulation, General, O. Reg. 701/20 (Regulation).
Jessica DeForest
Jessica is a labour and employment lawyer practicing out of Hicks Morley’s Waterloo office. She advises employers on various matters related to litigation, employment law and human rights.
Isabel de Wolde
Isabel’s multi-jurisdictional background enhances her advocacy for clients by enabling her to anticipate and respond to legal issues across diverse legislative and workplace contexts. This perspective informs her practice across various areas of employment and labour law, including litigation, human rights, occupational health and safety, and workplace policies and contracts.
Katya Gromyko
Katya Gromyko is a law clerk for the firm’s litigation practice group, bringing years of experience in labour and employment law. Katya has built a strong foundation in litigation and also applies her depth of expertise to non-litigation matters. Her work spans electronic case management and discovery, and she continues to expand her knowledge in…
Ontario’s Court of Appeal Reaffirms the Limits of Justiciability in Dorceus v. Ontario
In Dorceus v. Ontario, the Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed that courts are not the place for sweeping political or scientific debates disconnected from viable legal claims. The decision is a useful reminder that civil claims must be grounded in material facts, that unmeritorious claims can be struck early, and that certain workplace-related disputes must proceed through the specialized forums with exclusive jurisdiction. Hicks Morley’s Shauna Bartlett reviews the decision and what it means for future claims.
A Deal Is a Deal: Lessons From Stribling v Starbucks Coffee Canada Inc.
In Stribling v Starbucks Coffee Canada Inc., the Ontario Superior Court addressed a scenario in which an employer made a separation offer that was accepted in writing by the employee. However, the employee did not sign the release that was delivered to him by the employer and then sued for wrongful dismissal. The court treated…
Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA): 2026 Education Labour Relations and Human Resources Symposium
From workplace safety and accommodation to arbitration innovation and equity in education, the Hicks Morley team will be speaking at OPSBA’s Education Labour Relations and Human Resources Symposium on April 23-24.
Lessons In Employer Copyright Ownership From Nexus Solutions Inc. v. Krougly
Nassima Kaddoura outlines a recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision is a reminder that employers can’t assume they own employee created work — even if it competes with their business. Read the case in point and learn the key takeaways for employers.
BCCA Upholds Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Where Employer Relied on Provincial Health Officer’s Opinion
A recent ruling offers new guidance to the reasonableness of mandatory workplace policies. In this article, Andrew Schjerning breaks down a recent British Columbia Court of Appeal decision confirming that employers may reasonably rely on public health authority guidance when implementing mandatory COVID‑19 vaccination policies.