Resources

Revisiting Clark v. Clark

• December 5, 2018
• Anoop Kalsi
• Comments Off on Revisiting Clark v. Clark

In 1982, surrounding talks around the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Justin Clark began a battle for what would ultimately become a pivotal movement for Canadian disability rights. 26 years ago, on November 25, 1982, Judge John Ross Matheson rendered his historical ruling which determined that Justin Clark was mentally competent and able to make his own decisions. » Read the rest

Court Challenges Program one step closer to Opening for Business

• December 3, 2018
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Court Challenges Program one step closer to Opening for Business

On November 20, 2018, Canadian Heritage announced the exert panels who will establish policy and approve funding for Charter cases involving issues within federal jurisdiction. The announcement states “details of the … funding application process will be developed in a few weeks.” » Read the rest

Devaluing Ontarians with Intellectual Disabilities

• November 28, 2018
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on Devaluing Ontarians with Intellectual Disabilities

The Ontario government has announced a change to the Employment Standards Act that will have a significant, negative impact on Ontarians with intellectual disabilities: a delay to the end of sheltered workshops.

“Sheltered workshops” are places where people with disabilities are employed for incredibly low wages (under $2.00 per hour). » Read the rest

LSO Calls for Comment on New Access to Justice Initiative

• November 28, 2018
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on LSO Calls for Comment on New Access to Justice Initiative

The Law Society of Ontario (“LSO”) is soliciting comments on a draft regulatory framework that would allow lawyers and paralegals to provide legal services to the clients of registered civil society organization – at no cost to the clients of those organizations. » Read the rest

The #metoo and #timesup movements are making their impact on the legal profession

• November 13, 2018
• Kimberly Srivastava
• Comments Off on The #metoo and #timesup movements are making their impact on the legal profession

The Law Society’s Equity and Indigenous Affairs Committee has just released a report on the activities of the Duty and Harassment Counsel of the Law Society of Ontario (LSO). The report shows that there been a 50% increase in discrimination complaints against lawyers this year, including complaints by members of the public and other legal professionals. » Read the rest

Another Blow to Access to Justice in Canada

• October 25, 2018
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on Another Blow to Access to Justice in Canada

The Conversation has recently published an article by Doug Ferguson and Jason H. Voss entitled “How a proposed law could cut off legal aid for low-income people”.

The article discusses Bill C-75, a federal bill currently before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. » Read the rest

The Ontario Human Rights Commission is hosting a FREE training on its new policy on Accessible Education for Students with Disabilities

• October 12, 2018
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on The Ontario Human Rights Commission is hosting a FREE training on its new policy on Accessible Education for Students with Disabilities

The policy addresses continued barriers to education that students face at all levels of the education system, including:

• inaccessible build environments
• inadequate resources and supports in the classroom
• long waiting lists for professional assessments
• inappropriate requests by educational institutions for medical information
• denial of disability-related accommodations
• persistent negative attitudes and stereotypes towards people with disabilities
• ineffective dispute resolution processes

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, students with disabilities have the right to meaningful access to education comparable with their peers, and with accommodations commensurate with their needs. » Read the rest

Update: Charities can sponsor Test Case litigation

• August 21, 2018
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on Update: Charities can sponsor Test Case litigation

Bakerlaw recently posted about the Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s decision in Canada Without Poverty v AG Canada, 2018 ONSC 4147, in which the Court struck down a prohibition in the Income Tax Act preventing registered charities from devoting more than 10% of their resources to “political activities”. » Read the rest

Charities can sponsor Test Case litigation

• July 31, 2018
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on Charities can sponsor Test Case litigation

On July 16th, 2018, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice struck down a prohibition in the Income Tax Act preventing registered charities from devoting more than 10% of their resources to “political activities”. This welcome decision paves the way for registered charities to sponsor advocacy that may previously have been limited as “political”, including “test case” litigation. » Read the rest

Sexual Harassment and Assault at Work or School

• July 16, 2018
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Sexual Harassment and Assault at Work or School

The public attention being paid to high profile persons subjected to sexual violence and harassment has encouraged persons in lower waged positions with comparable experiences to speak up,  seek support from co-workers and  unions and exercise their rights to justice so they are not doubly violated. » Read the rest