Legal Issues

Webinar Success and Upcoming Conference on Medical Assisted Dying

• October 14, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Webinar Success and Upcoming Conference on Medical Assisted Dying

The “Facing a Future with Assisted Suicide” webinar hosted by Citizens With Disabilities was a success! The panel was moderated by Dr. Eric Wasylenko, of the Health Quality Council of Alberta and the Dosseter Centre of Health Ethics, and bakerlaw’s David Baker participated on the “expert panel”. » Read the rest

70% of Canadians Do Not Have Access to Palliative Care

• October 14, 2015
• Kimberly Srivastava
• Comments Off on 70% of Canadians Do Not Have Access to Palliative Care

Bakerlaw is currently exploring the possibility of taking on a case regarding inadequate access to palliative care in Canada. Palliative care is not available in roughly 70% of deaths, though experts report that 90% of deaths would benefit from palliative care. » Read the rest

Age Discrimination in Employment in the Post Mandatory Retirement Era

• October 14, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Age Discrimination in Employment in the Post Mandatory Retirement Era

On October 16, 2015, David Baker will be speaking at the Toronto Reference Library on age discrimination in employment in the post-mandatory retirement era.

The event is free and will be from 1 – 2 pm in the Beeton Auditorium at the Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street). » Read the rest

Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario: Facing a Future with Assisted Suicide

• September 23, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario: Facing a Future with Assisted Suicide

On Sunday, October 4, 2015, Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario (CWDO) is presenting its “Facing a Future with Assisted Suicide” webinar (link to flyer for webinar).

Dr. Eric Wasylenko, Director of the Dosseter Centre of Health Ethics, will moderate, with disability rights lawyer David Baker and health law expert Gilbert Sharpe forming the expert panel leading the discussion on the remaining questions that need to be addressed in the wake of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Carter v Canada (Attorney General), 2015 SCC 5 (link to case). » Read the rest

“Reinstatement in relation to a disability which is highly stigmatized”

• September 16, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on “Reinstatement in relation to a disability which is highly stigmatized”

A recent ruling from the Manitoba Human Rights Commission has set an “important precedent – reinstatement in relation to a disability which is highly stigmatized,” according to David Baker.

The Commission ruled that the worker in question, who was fired three years ago for her alcohol addiction, was discriminated against because her alcohol addiction did qualify as a disability, and this “alcohol-related disability” was a factor in the employer’s adverse treatment of her, including her termination.  » Read the rest

Discrimination in the professions

• July 23, 2015
• Phil Emery
• Comments Off on Discrimination in the professions

Bakerlaw has seen a series of cases recently that relate to discrimination in the professions. These cases have reminded us that regulatory bodies and employers often overlook the potential for discrimination both against professionals and by professionals.

To become a professional, an individual must meet certain standards that are set by regulatory bodies. » Read the rest

Public servants with visual impairments say government failing them

• July 23, 2015
• Phil Emery
• Comments Off on Public servants with visual impairments say government failing them

David Baker recently spoke with Julie Ireton of CBC to voice the concerns of public servants with visual impairments who allege that the federal government is lagging behind when it comes to accessibility in employment. Please see CBC’s July 2, 2015 article to learn more about the federal government’s failure to ensure all of its employees have the tools necessary to do their jobs (link to article). » Read the rest

Department of National Defence turns down foreign-trained professionals despite shortage

• April 20, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Department of National Defence turns down foreign-trained professionals despite shortage

Starting Monday April 13, 2015, bakerlaw appeared before the Canadian Human Rights Commission in Toronto on behalf of Arthur Keith, a former U.S Air Force psychiatrist.  Despite a shortage of mental health staff in the Canadian military, and despite Dr. Keith being licensed to practice in Ontario, his applications have been consistently turned down due to a policy that excludes foreign-born and foreign-trained specialists due to a required extra level of certification. » Read the rest

Lobbyists, public office holders and conflict of interest

• April 16, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Lobbyists, public office holders and conflict of interest

On April 14, 2015, the Globe and Mail reported that city councillor and vocal Uber opponent Jim Karygiannis received thousands of dollars in donations from the taxicab industry in the lead up to last year’s election (link to article). » Read the rest

Tribute to champion of disability rights, Helen Henderson

• April 14, 2015
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Tribute to champion of disability rights, Helen Henderson

Canadian journalism has lost its preeminent writer on disability issues. Helen Henderson, who lived much of her professional life with multiple sclerosis died on April 11^th  of cancer. Helen tackled cutting edge disability issues without ever sounding strident. The rights she demanded in her columns reflected her common sense and decency. » Read the rest