Articles 2019

Today
Today

Frank: A Departure from Figueroa

  • May 23, 2018
  • Saba Ahmad

In March, the Supreme Court of Canada heard an appeal of the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Frank v Canada. This article argues that the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision is inconsistent with the Supreme Court’s holding in Figueroa v Canada.

Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Student Forum

Justice is served: The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario sends a strong message that there is no room for sexual assault and harassment in the workplace

  • May 17, 2018
  • Tavlin Kaur

When it comes to sexual harassment and assault in the workplace, the discussion often centres around seeking accountability against the perpetrator through criminal and civil processes. However, in the more recent years, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has become an increasingly effective forum for victims to be heard and have their experiences validated and appropriately compensated.

Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Student Forum

ECOJUSTICE DENIED LEAVE TO INTERVENE AS "FRIEND OF COURT"

  • March 29, 2018
  • Jack D. Coop

This article considers the Ontario Court of Appeal's recent decision in Huang v. Fraser Hillary's Limited, 2018 ONCA 277, in which the court denied Ecojustice leave to intervene in an appeal.

Civil Litigation, Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Environmental Law and 1 more..., Natural Resources and Energy Law

Insurer off-the-hook for Release of Pollutants Caused by Fire

  • March 29, 2018
  • John Georgakopoulos and Matthew Gardner, Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

On January 14, 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada denied Precision Plating Ltd.’s (“Precision Plating”) application for leave to appeal the British Columbia Court of Appeal’s (“BCCA”) decision in Precision Plating Ltd. v. Axa Pacific Insurance Co., (“Precision Plating v Axa”).

Civil Litigation, Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Environmental Law and 1 more..., Insurance Law

The duty to accommodate: does the origin of the disability matter?

  • March 27, 2018
  • Nathalie Léger and Amy Nguyen

A recent decision by the Supreme Court of Canada sheds new light on how to consider employers’ duty to accommodate when dealing with an injured worker. In Quebec (Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail) v. Caron, 2018 SCC 3, the Court unanimously decided that “the duty to reasonably accommodate disabled employees is a fundamental tenet of Canadian and, more particularly, Quebec labour law. ”

Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Workers' Compensation

The #metoo Movement: The Paradox of Sexual Misconduct and People with Disabilities

  • February 21, 2018
  • Lorin MacDonald

As a human rights lawyer and a woman living with a disability, I am troubled by some reactions to the resignation of Kent Hehr, the federal Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, on January 25th amidst allegations of sexual misconduct (since downgraded to "inappropriate comments").

Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law

Update on Genetic Discrimination

  • February 21, 2018
  • Fiona Campbell and Nicolas Woodward

The past few years have seen significant developments in the field of genetic testing, which has led to exciting possibilities for identifying, understanding, preventing, and treating illnesses. At the same time, advances in the understanding of genetics can also result in the discriminatory treatment of individuals.

Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law

The Northern Regional Health Appeal – An Opportunity to Clarify the “Essential Character” Test of Disputes involving Human Rights in Unionized Workplaces

  • February 21, 2018
  • Sandra Gaballa

The Northern Regional Health Authority has applied for leave to appeal the decision of the Manitoba Court of Appeal in Northern Regional Health Authority v. Manitoba Human Rights Commission et. al., 2017 MBCA 98 to the Supreme Court of Canada . The Manitoba Human Rights Commission is not opposing the application, instead favouring that the appeal be heard and clarification be sought in the matter of the jurisdiction of human rights tribunals vis-à-vis exclusive arbitral jurisdiction.

Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law