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The content on this page is no longer being updated here.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.
Lawsuit alleges a disabled inmate forced to sleep on the floor for 21 days
- October 4, 2021
- Daniel Mulroy
- Comments Off on Lawsuit alleges a disabled inmate forced to sleep on the floor for 21 days
Kitten Keyes is an inmate at the Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener, Ontario. Keyes is a person with disabilities who uses a wheelchair and states that she was forced to sleep on the floor of her cell for 21 straight days because her cell was not accessible. » Read the rest
OHRC releases policy statement on vaccine mandates
- September 27, 2021
- Amanda Dimilta
- Comments Off on OHRC releases policy statement on vaccine mandates
On September 22, 2021, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its statement regarding the Ontario government’s requirement that residents provide proof of full vaccination to access certain public settings, specifically higher risk indoor facilities.
The OHRC states that the mandate is generally permissible under the Ontario Human Rights Code (link), as long as those who cannot be vaccinated are reasonably accommodated. » Read the rest
Peel Police and the Ontario Human Rights Commission partner to address systemic racism and discrimination
- September 23, 2021
- Daniel Mulroy
- Comments Off on Peel Police and the Ontario Human Rights Commission partner to address systemic racism and discrimination
In October 2020 the Peel Regional Police, the Peel Police Services Board and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (“OHRC”) signed a memorandum of understanding committing to work together to address systemic racism in the force.
The memorandum comes as Multiple concerns around systemic racism in the Peel police force have recently come to light. » Read the rest
David Baker’s thoughts on the paper “Should Economics Play a Greater Role in the Adjudication of Human Rights Claims? The Examples of Injury to Dignity and the Duty to Accommodate”
- August 27, 2021
- David Baker
- Comments Off on David Baker’s thoughts on the paper “Should Economics Play a Greater Role in the Adjudication of Human Rights Claims? The Examples of Injury to Dignity and the Duty to Accommodate”
American economist, Milton Friedman, has pointed out that discrimination can impose economic costs on those engaging in discrimination as well as upon their victims (Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom, 2002). David Lewis and Ian Currie have made a valuable contribution by pointing out how these costs can be quantified in the interests of better-informed decision-making. » Read the rest
Issues with Artificial Intelligence: The Need for Regulation
- July 6, 2021
- Daniel Mulroy
- Comments Off on Issues with Artificial Intelligence: The Need for Regulation
The Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) has initiated a multiyear, multidisciplinary project to research the development, and impact of artificial intelligence (AI), automated decision-making (ADM) and algorithms on access to justice, human rights, and due process.
A recent publication from the LCO, Regulating AI: Critical Issues and Choices (link), discusses the issues that arise from the use of AI and ADM, and calls for significant regulatory reform in Ontario. » Read the rest
Protected Ground of Citizenship does not Include Permanent Residency
- June 21, 2021
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Protected Ground of Citizenship does not Include Permanent Residency
Ontario’s Divisional Court allowed an application for judicial review regarding the 2018 case of Haseeb v. Imperial Oil (Link) .While the Tribunal had ruled that the protected ground of citizenship extended to permanent residents, the Divisional Court disagreed and overturned this finding. » Read the rest
Making hospital health care more accessible for persons with disabilities
- June 4, 2021
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Making hospital health care more accessible for persons with disabilities
The Provincial Health Care Standards Development Committee is seeking public feedback to on its recommendations to update standards in hospitals. The initial recommendations seek to increase accessibility of health care services delivered in hospitals to persons with disabilities.
The Committee’s initial report containing 22 recommendations can be accessed here (link). » Read the rest
Eyes Open: An Anti-Asian Racism PSA
- May 28, 2021
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Eyes Open: An Anti-Asian Racism PSA
Eyes Open: An Anti-Asian Racism PSA (link) provides a powerful and poignant message encouraging all Canadians to recognize historical and present injustices in our communities.
With a marked rise in anti-Asian racism, this Asian Heritage Month, the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice has launched the #FaceRace Campaign. » Read the rest
“Know Your Rights” – Vaccine Equity Podcast
- May 21, 2021
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on “Know Your Rights” – Vaccine Equity Podcast
Bakerlaw’s David Baker (link) recently was a guest on the “Know Your Rights” segment of the Kelly and Company podcast – AMI-audio’s (link) daily live afternoon programming. On the podcast, he spoke with host Danielle McLaughlin about the inequitable roll-out of Ontario’s COVID vaccinations, and the impact that the inequitable vaccine roll-out is having on Ontarians with disabilities. » Read the rest
Ableism in the Medical Profession
- May 10, 2021
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Ableism in the Medical Profession
In a recent article, BBC News has reported on the discriminatory treatment experienced by disabled medical students in the pursuit of accommodations for their disability-related needs. Referred to as “ableism,” perceptions within professional circles of medical students and professionals with disabilities as inferior and less competent has resulted in many not getting the accommodations that they need. » Read the rest