The health and safety of our staff is our prime concern. Although the Premier of Ontario has declared a state of emergency on March 17, 2020, he has confirmed that the Province of Ontario is not shut down.

Bird Richard continues to provide its full service to all of its clients during this challenging period. Our office is open and our lawyers are available to assist you with any of your labour and employment matters either by email or by telephone.

In order to minimize the risks to our staff, we have implemented social distancing measures in our office. We have implemented teleconference and video conferencing protocols to limit in-person meetings.

Courts and Administrative Tribunals:
If you have a pending matter before a Court or other judicial body, you will be contacted by our lawyers to either adjourn the matter to a later date or, where the applicable rules permit, proceed by teleconference or videoconferencing.
The following notices have been communicated by the various courts and administrative tribunals:
Ontario Superior Court of Justice
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has suspended all regular operations, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and until further notice:

“All civil matters scheduled to be heard on or after Tuesday March 17, 2020 in person, by telephone or videoconference are adjourned. This includes all telephone and videoconference appearances scheduled prior to March 17, 2020, unless the presiding judicial officer directs otherwise. Lawyers and litigants with matters scheduled on or after March 17, 2020 are advised not to attend the courthouse.

The Court will continue to hear urgent matters during this emergency period.”

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
The HRTO has postponed in-person hearings and will reschedule them to a later date. The HRTO may be able to propose written and telephone hearings. Front line services are closed since March 16, 2020 until further notice.

Ontario Labour Relations Board
The Board continues to accept filings of the various pleadings although there may be delays in processing of matters. All representation votes will be conducted electronically.
Mediations scheduled from March 13 to 27, 2020 will be adjourned and can be held by conference call or email at the request of the parties.
In-person hearings scheduled from March 16 to March 27, 2020 have been adjourned. The Board is monitoring the COVID-19 situation and may decide to adjourn hearings post-March 27, 2020.
Parties may submit requests for their in-person hearing to be held by telephone or in writing.
The front line offices are closed for walk-ins.

Canadian Industrial Relations Board
The Board has cancelled all scheduled in-person hearings, representation votes and meetings between now and the end of May 2020. The Board will contact parties to propose alternative means for these processes.
All documents are to be filed through e-filing.
We will keep you apprised as new developments take place.
Please do not hesitate to contact Bird Richard by phone or by email should you have any questions or require services during these trying times.
The HRTO has postponed in-person hearings and will reschedule them to a later date. The HRTO may be able to propose written and telephone hearings. Front line services are closed since March 16, 2020 until further notice.
Ontario Labour Relations Board
The Board continues to accept filings of the various pleadings although there may be delays in processing of matters. All representation votes will be conducted electronically.
Mediations scheduled from March 13 to 27, 2020 will be adjourned and can be held by conference call or email at the request of the parties.
In-person hearings scheduled from March 16 to March 27, 2020 have been adjourned. The Board is monitoring the COVID-19 situation and may decide to adjourn hearings post-March 27, 2020.
Parties may submit requests for their in-person hearing to be held by telephone or in writing.
The front line offices are closed for walk-ins.
Canadian Industrial Relations Board
The Board has cancelled all scheduled in-person hearings, representation votes and meetings between now and the end of May 2020. The Board will contact parties to propose alternative means for these processes.
All documents are to be filed through e-filing.
We will keep you apprised as new developments take place.

Please do not hesitate to contact Bird Richard by phone or by email should you have any questions or require services during these trying times.