As of August 1, 2022, bakerlaw has joined forces with Ross & McBride LLP.
Our team is excited to become part of the formidable group of human rights, employment, and constitutional lawyers at Ross & McBride. Our current and future clients will continue to receive the personalized, high-quality representation that has become synonymous with bakerlaw, and will benefit from the collaborative, cross-functional approach to complex issues that both we and Ross & McBride value. With the added resources of larger, full-service firm, this collaboration will allow us to take on new clients for the first time since October 2021. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact us at contact@rossmcbride.com
The content on this page is no longer being updated here. For news and updated content you can find it on the Ross & McBride News page.
Sexual Assault Prevention Month 2022
- May 24, 2022
- Mariah Campbell
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Content warning: Sexual assault and harassment
May is Sexual Assault Prevention Month (link) in Ontario and across Canada (link). Formerly referred to as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the name was changed in recent years to signify that awareness alone is not enough; to effectively support survivors, action is key. » Read the rest
Manitoba based Charter challenge aims to bring change to disability payment claw-backs
- March 28, 2022
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Manitoba based Charter challenge aims to bring change to disability payment claw-backs
On March 21, 2022, The Winnipeg Free Press published an article outlining the Charter challenge that Mr. Paul Hutlet has launched with the assistance of bakerlaw. The article, “Disability payment program structures face constitutional challenge” can be found here (link). » Read the rest
Canadian youth challenge the current Federal voting age under sections 3 & 15 of the Charter
- March 15, 2022
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Canadian youth challenge the current Federal voting age under sections 3 & 15 of the Charter
In December 2021, a group of 13 Canadian youth filed a court challenge in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to lower the federal voting age. The Applicants represent youth across the country and range from 12 to 18 years of age. » Read the rest
Working for Worker’s Act, 2021 brings changes to the workplace
- March 14, 2022
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Working for Worker’s Act, 2021 brings changes to the workplace
On December 2, 2021, the Working for Workers Act, 2021 (“Act”), came into force amending several existing Acts impacting employer and, in some circumstances, employee obligations. You can find the full Act, including the dates each Schedule of amendments comes into force, here (link). » Read the rest
Human Rights Day 2021
- December 10, 2021
- BakerLaw
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Today marks the 73rd annual Human Rights Day, which celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (link) as put forth by the United Nations in 1948.
This year’s theme for the celebration is “EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights”, which relates to Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” » Read the rest
Charter challenge claims CERB and CRB discriminated against people with disabilities
- December 7, 2021
- Daniel Mulroy
- Comments Off on Charter challenge claims CERB and CRB discriminated against people with disabilities
On November 26, 2021, the Toronto Star published the article “CERB and CRB discriminated against Canadians with disabilities, new Charter challenge claims” (link). This article outlines the Charter challenge Ms. Valerie Jacob has launched, with the assistance of bakerlaw, claiming that the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (“CERB”) and the Canada Recovery Benefit (“CRB”) discriminated against her, as a worker with disabilities. » Read the rest
Dr. Poland Lai explores the impact of COVID-19 on individuals receiving and/or providing care
- December 1, 2021
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Dr. Poland Lai explores the impact of COVID-19 on individuals receiving and/or providing care
Dr. Poland Lai (link), Assistant Professor at York University, article Falling through the care cracks: younger people in long-term care homes (link) explores the issue of young persons with disabilities residing in Long-term care homes. She argues that LTC homes are not always considered as the most appropriate place for young persons with disabilities to reside, but the stark reality is that this is sometimes one of very limited choices available. » Read the rest
Autism Ontario’s Response to the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee Recommendations
- November 8, 2021
- BakerLaw
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In October 2021, Autism Ontario released its response to the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee Recommendations. The Committee provided recommendations to the Ontario government for proposed accessibility standards for K-12 education, which covered nine broad themes:
- attitudes, behaviours, perceptions and assumptions
- awareness and training
- curriculum, assessment and instruction
- digital learning and technology
- organizational barriers
- social realms
- physical and architectural barriers
- planning for emergencies and safety framework
- timelines and accountability
You can review the Education Standards Development Committee’s Report here (link). » Read the rest
Mistreatment of residents living in congregate care and/or treatment settings
- November 4, 2021
- BakerLaw
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Content warning: Abuse of persons with disabilities
With social media and attention to shed light on the issue regarding abuse by a caregiver or support worker of a developmentally disabled person, it would be reasonable to assume that society has progressed to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent this mistreatment. » Read the rest
Effects of climate change disproportionately impact persons with disabilities
- November 3, 2021
- Daniel Mulroy
- Comments Off on Effects of climate change disproportionately impact persons with disabilities
Due to discrimination, marginalization and economic factors, the impacts of climate change disproportionately impact persons with disabilities.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights found that “Persons with disabilities are often among those most adversely affected in an emergency, sustaining disproportionately higher rates of morbidity and mortality, and at the same time being among those least able to have access to emergency support” (link). » Read the rest