Entries by BirdRichard

Standard of Review Clarified – Vavilov and the Supreme Court’s Decision

The long-awaited decision of Canada v. Vavilov, 2019 SCC 65 was recently released. The decision dealt with a case of a young man, born in Toronto, who had his citizenship put into question because he had Russian spies as parents. While it is an interesting case and certainly deserves a read, of more importance (depending […]

Employer Health Tax – Who is the Employer in a Tripartite Relationship?

The Court of Appeal has rendered a decision concerning the Employer Health Tax (“EHT”) and in particular, where an employee is hired through a Temporary Placement Agency, who is responsible for paying this tax. In the case of Azur Human Resources Ltd. v. Ontario (Minister of Revenue) the case dealt with an appeal by a […]

The Enforceability of Termination Clauses and the Waiver of Common Law Notice

On May 5, 2019, the Ontario Court of Appeal released the Ariss v. NORR Limited Architects & Engineers decision. The majority decision from the Court of Appeal is an important decision for employers regarding the enforceability of termination clause in employment agreements. In 2002, NORR acquired the company that employed Mr. Ariss and continued his […]

Dependant Contractors – More than 50% of Income

A dependent contractor is a status that is essentially a middle ground between an employee and an independent contractor. Where a court has determined that the individual does not fall into the category of employee, the court will undertake a test to determine whether the worker is either a dependent contractor or an independent contractor. […]

Bonus Payments – When is an Employee Entitled to a Bonus Payment during a Notice Period?

In Dawe v. Equitable Life Insurance Co. of Canada, the Court of Appeal recently reviewed the circumstances when an employee may be entitled to a bonus payment during a notice period. The case involved an employee (“Mr. Dawe”) who had worked for Equitable Life Insurance as a Senior Vice President. Mr. Dawe’s employment was terminated […]

Ontario Government Places Restrictions on Wage Increases

On June 5, 2019, the Ontario government introduced Bill 124 – the Protecting Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019 – which imposes restrictions on wage increases and compensation for a variety of unionized and non-unionized workers in Ontario over the next 3 years. The Bill establishes a series of 3-year “modernization periods” depending […]

Employer Liable for Employees Assaulting Each Other

In a recent 2019 decision, Bassanese v. German Canadian News Company Limited et al., the Court has concluded that an employer can be held vicariously liable where one employee assaults another employee. This case involved two employees who did not like each other. Dhanani was employed as an accounts receivable clerk. Bassanese worked in an […]

Constructive Dismissal for Hiring a new Employee

The Court of Appeal of Ontario has recently affirmed the Colistro v. Tbaytel decision from the Superior Court. This case involved allegations by an employee who commenced an action for constructive dismissal, intentional infliction of mental suffering, and wrongful dismissal. Colistro worked for Tbaytel, and its predecessor, the City of Thunder Bay, for nearly 20 […]

No Tort of Harassment in Ontario: Ontario Court of Appeal

The Ontario Court of Appeal has concluded that there is no the tort of harassment in Ontario. By way of background, the employee was a junior RCMP constable when he began and had been promoted to sergeant. The relationship between management and the employee became tense when the employee ran for a nomination for a […]

Nurse Reinstated after Theft of Narcotics from the Workplace

On January 10, 2019, Arbitrator Larry Steinberg released a decision reinstating a nurse who had violated numerous workplace policies, committed theft and falsified medical records. The grievor worked on a full-time basis as a Registered Professional Nurse at a long-term care facility.  She had been employed with the employer for approximately 14 years. The grievor […]