The Year in Review – 2023 Cases of Note

We are back with our annual review of the prior year’s notable cases that we believe will be of interest to employers and human resources professionals. We also identify some cases to watch for in 2024. Next week, we will bring you our review of notable 2023 legislative updates. Cases of Note Employment Termination of…

Ontario Human Rights Commission Strategic Plan and the Right to Read

On January 17, 2023, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released a new strategic plan for 2023 to 2025, entitled Human Rights First: A plan for belonging in Ontario. It centres around five priorities which include Indigenous reconciliation, the criminal justice system and the education system. In this School Board Update, we focus on the OHRC’s priorities with respect to the education system.

Divisional Court Finds “Permanent Residence” Not a Protected Ground under Ontario Human Rights Code

In the recently released decision of Imperial Oil Limited v. Haseeb, a majority of the Divisional Court (Court) quashed a decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunal) which treated “permanent residence” as intrinsically included in the protected ground of “citizenship.” The majority held that such an expansion to the ground of “citizenship” was…

Workplace Investigation Training Workshop

Please note registration for this event has closed. Fee: $350.00 plus $45.50 (13% HST) Total $395.50 per person Overview This session focuses on essential investigation skills required by HR Professionals who are charged with investigating workplace incidents including: workplace harassment and violence complaints discrimination and harassment complaints under the Human Rights Code employee misconduct, such…

Advantage CPD: Hot Topics – and Key Challenges – in Human Rights Law

Are you ready to respond quickly and effectively when complex accommodation requests – or allegations of sexual harassment – are made? Does the legalization of marijuana really change any of your obligations as an employer? What obligations do employees with child or elder care issues have to “self-help” – if at all? Understanding the latest developments in the human rights law is key to ensuring your organization is fully prepared to deal with these issues when they arise. Find out what you need to know in this Advantage CPD session.

Ontario’s Proposed New Anti-Racism Standards

As we previously reported, the Ontario Anti -Racism Act (ARA) came into force on June 1, 2017. One of the purposes behind the ARA is to allow certain organizations to collect information that will be used to identify and monitor systematic racism and racial disparities for the purpose of eliminating systemic racism and advancing racial…

Siobhan O’Brien Quoted in TVO Article on Transgender Rights Bill C-16

TVO quoted Siobhan O’Brien in a May 30, 2017 article titled “Everything you need to know about the transgender bill.” Bill C-16 proposes to include gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds for discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act and hate speech provisions under the Criminal Code. By including “gender identity” and “gender…