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The content on this page is no longer being updated here.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.
University of Waterloo Discriminated in its Admissions Decision, Court of Appeal Upholds
- January 11, 2021
- Laura Lepine
- Comments Off on University of Waterloo Discriminated in its Admissions Decision, Court of Appeal Upholds
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a decision recognizing that students with disabilities are entitled to substantive accommodation when applying to university.
This decision confirms that university admission processes are not exempt from human rights obligations: where admissions standards adversely impact students with disabilities, universities must accommodate those students, or show that it would be an undue hardship to do so. » Read the rest
Jasmin Simpson Wins: Court Holds Student Loans Programs Violated Her Charter rights
- December 17, 2020
- Laura Lepine
- Comments Off on Jasmin Simpson Wins: Court Holds Student Loans Programs Violated Her Charter rights
It took nearly two decades for Jasmin Simpson to get her day in court. It took only two months from the end of submissions for the Court to rule in her favour.
On October 26, 2020, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice held that Ms. » Read the rest
Black Public Servants Allege Discrimination in the Federal Public Service
- December 11, 2020
- Khalid Mahdi
- Comments Off on Black Public Servants Allege Discrimination in the Federal Public Service
CBC News has recently reported on a proposed class-action lawsuit by current and former Black Canadian civil servants alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of race. The lawsuit alleges that Black public servants have been repeatedly overlooked for promotions and subjected to a toxic work environments. » Read the rest
Does inaction on climate change violate Canadians’ human rights?
- November 16, 2020
- Laura Lepine
- Comments Off on Does inaction on climate change violate Canadians’ human rights?
Does inaction on climate change violate Canadians’ human rights? If the Netherlands are any example to follow, the answer may be yes.
In The Netherlands vs Urgenda, the Dutch Supreme Court found that an inadequate response to climate change can violate human rights. » Read the rest
Actual Abilities of Witnesses Matter; Not Stereotypes
- November 13, 2020
- Anoop Kalsi
- Comments Off on Actual Abilities of Witnesses Matter; Not Stereotypes
In the November 6, 2020 decision of R. v. Slatter, 2020 SCC 36 (link), the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) confirmed that it is the actual ability of witnesses to recall and recount events that matter most when assessing credibility; this is the case whether the witness has a disability or not. » Read the rest
Ministry of Education Report Regarding ABA at School Pilot Project
- November 9, 2020
- Amanda Dimilta
- Comments Off on Ministry of Education Report Regarding ABA at School Pilot Project
In 2017, the Ministry of Education (“MOE”) created what was intended to be a 1-year pilot project for the 2017-18 school year titled “Pilot to Improve School-Based Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder”. You can read about the initiative here. » Read the rest
(In)Accessibility in the Legal Profession
- November 3, 2020
- Khalid Mahdi
- Comments Off on (In)Accessibility in the Legal Profession
Among key factors that shape the ability of Canadians to access justice, the physical accessibility of courthouses is too crucial an issue to be overlooked. For lawyers with disabilities, the inaccessibility of provincial courthouses is not simply an issue of physical access, but also the ability to participate as members of the legal profession. » Read the rest
Canadians Protected from Genetic Discrimination
- October 9, 2020
- Laura Lepine
- Comments Off on Canadians Protected from Genetic Discrimination
Genetic testing has never been more accessible. A genetic test can tell you about your ancestry, or tell your doctor important information about your health. The information from a genetic test, however, is highly personal. It would be a breach of your privacy if that information fell into the wrong hands. » Read the rest
Throne Speech Unveils New Canadian Disability Benefit
- October 9, 2020
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Throne Speech Unveils New Canadian Disability Benefit
Acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Canadians with disabilities, the federal government in its most recent throne speech unveiled its Disability Inclusion Plan. In addition to a robust employment strategy, the plan includes the development of a new Canadian Disability Benefit (CDB) modelled after the Guaranteed Income Supplement. » Read the rest
Deaf Politician – The Gary Malkowski Story
- October 9, 2020
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Deaf Politician – The Gary Malkowski Story
Following the release of the new book, Deaf Politician: The Gary Malkowski Story, Citizens with Disabilities – Ontario will be hosting a webinar surrounding the life and remarkable accomplishments of Gary Malkowski. The webinar will take place over Zoom on Friday, October 9th at 3 p.m. » Read the rest