This past Tuesday, on March 28, 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada (the “Court”) heard arguments in British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal v. Edward Schrenk.[i] The case raises very important issues as to who is entitled to protections against harassment and discrimination in the workplace and in what workplace settings and employment-related relationships. The Court
The most recent federal budget proposes to make EI parental benefits more flexible. Proposed changes will allow parents to choose to receive EI parental benefits over an extended period of up to 18 months at a lower benefit rate of 33 percent of average weekly earnings. EI parental benefits will continue to be available at
Peter Merrifield commenced his service with the RCMP in 1998 and in June of 2007 commenced a civil action against the force, claiming damages for, among other things, the tort of harassment. On February 28, 2017, Madam Justice Vallée issued a 174 page judgment, finding in favour of Mr. Merrifield and awarding him damages in
I have spent many lazy Saturday mornings watching home renovation shows on TV. I envy the vision and drive of those who undertake these projects and marvel at the final reveal. Through the magic of television, these renovations are always successful (but for the one hilarious yet rectifiable snafu that creates conflict halfway through the
What makes a bystander tick? Why would someone who witnessed workplace harassment or discrimination, but who was not themself subject to it, complain? What would compel that person to intervene in an ongoing situation? What prompts someone to make an anonymous call to alert their employer of problematic workplace behaviour? A recent arbitral case, The
The first year of law school can be a drag. Endless assigned reading for mandatory courses, some of which had no long-term appeal for me. However, whenever I found myself thinking, “What I am doing here?” a reading assignment for Constitutional Law always saved the day. I loved reading decisions that applied the Canadian Charter
Ask any human rights professional and they’ll likely tell you that one of the most difficult topics that come up in their practice is workplace violence and harassment. Employment lawyers will usually agree. The issue has been made all the more complicated since the advent of provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
Earlier this month, the Globe and Mail released its findings from a 20-month investigation into how police services across Canada handle sexual assault allegations. Robyn Doolittle’s investigation report, ‘Unfounded’, found extensive flaws and inconsistencies in how allegations were closed by police and deemed unfounded in the various police records’ systems. A copy of the investigation
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