By Jason Walker, Adler University The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has launched a third-party workplace assessment of its British Columbia office after serious allegations of sexual assault, bullying and intimidation were recently made public. Whistleblowers raised allegations involving a senior officer who has been removed from the workplace. In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the allegations are “devastating” and “absolutely unacceptable” and that the government was following up “very directly” on these issues. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. A pervasiv ..read more

A unionized Ontario court clerk and registrar has been handed a seven-day suspension following a series of incidents that violated workplace policies, a penalty upheld at arbitration due to his attitude and refusal to take responsibility for his actions. The decision, issued by arbitrator Diane Gee, came after a detailed grievance process involving the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the Ministry of the Attorney General. Abandoning post The incidents in question occurred in Toronto on Nov. 9, 2018, when the clerk, AB, assigned to Courtroom K, abandoned his post without autho ..read more

In a significant move by the Ontario Court of Justice, SB, a Belleville-based roofing company owner, has been barred from working in the construction industry following his latest conviction for safety violations. The conviction, which was handed down on Nov. 27, 2023, came after an incident on Sept. 5, 2020, where a ministry inspector witnessed a worker employed by SB working at a height greater than three meters on a pitched roof without the mandatory fall protection. This violation of Ontario’s stringent safety regulations, especially those guarding against falls – termed ‘killer contravent ..read more

The Alberta Court of King’s Bench has, once again, rejected a litigation request from a former CIBC worker with a history of filing “abusive hopeless proceedings.” See the full story at https://hrlawcanada.com/2023/12/alberta-court-rejects-litigation-request-from-former-cibc-worker-with-history-of-filing-abusive-hopeless-proceedings/ The post The Case: Alberta court rejects litigation request from former CIBC worker with history of filing ‘abusive hopeless proceedings’ first appeared on HR Law Canada ..read more

The Employment Lawyers Association of Ontario (ELAO) recently hosted its annual Thirst for Knowledge (TFK) conference and gala in Toronto. “This year, the ELAO expanded the decades-old meeting of employment lawyers called ‘Thirst for Knowledge’ to include a conference on Nov. 9 and a gala on Nov. 23,” said Tahir Khorasanee, vice-president of ELAO and a senior associate with Steinbergs LLP. “With close to 250 employment lawyers in attendance, it is one of the largest gathering of lawyers from one of the most collegial bars in North America, the employment bar,” he said. “The Ontario Employment ..read more

The Alberta Court of King’s Bench has, once again, rejected a litigation request from a former CIBC worker with a history of filing “abusive hopeless proceedings.” NJ, a self-represented individual who was dismissed from CIBC in 2010, was labeled a “vexatious litigant” in a 2022 decision and faced court access restrictions requiring him to obtain permission before initiating or continuing litigation in Alberta. In his latest attempt, NJ submitted a one-page document titled “Re: Leave to Commence Proceeding,” arguing for a Charter remedy and challenging his designation as a vexatious litigant ..read more

A small claims court in British Columbia has dismissed a worker’s claim for unpaid wages and vacation pay after he quit his job after less than two days. DP, a former employee of Buy Rite Office Furnishings, was seeking an award close to $4,200. The worker, who represented himself, argued that the company wrongfully terminated his employment without paying for the three weeks’ notice period he provided upon resignation. DP said he gave Buy Rite three weeks’ notice as required under the contract — but the company dismissed him immediately without paying for the notice period. The $4,200 DP soug ..read more

British Columbia has appointed three new Provincial Court judges and one judicial justice, effective Jan. 2, 2024. The newly appointed judges, Tyleen Underwood, Mark Erina, and Daniel Loucks, bring a wealth of experience to the bench. Underwood, who has been practicing since 2002, boasts an extensive background in both criminal law and family law. She is particularly noted for her deep connections and substantial court experience in the West Kootenays. Mark Erina, a member of the British Columbia Bar since 1996, has spent the last decade as the senior counsel and team leader for the Public Pro ..read more

New Brunswick’s Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal has overturned two decisions made by the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission regarding the medical cannabis treatment of a worker who required high levels of THC. The worker has been embroiled in a legal battle over the authorization and funding of his medical cannabis, specifically the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in his prescription. The dispute centered on two decisions by the Commission. First, a June 28, 2022, decision from the Commission’s Decision Review Office denied the worker’s request for medical aid as th ..read more

A settlement has been approved in a class action lawsuit against Apache Corporation and Paramount Resources Ltd., on behalf of a subset of former employees of Apache Canada Ltd. The settlement of disputed claims provides a fund of $7 million USD, less approved legal fees, costs and expenses, to compensate Class Members for the cancellation of deferred compensation awards they held when Apache Canada was sold to Paramount Resources in August 2017. The Court of King’s Bench of Alberta approved the settlement as being fair, reasonable, and in the best interests of the Class and in recognition of ..read more