Resources

New Developments in Harassment and Poisoned Environment Jurisprudence in Ontario

• July 24, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on New Developments in Harassment and Poisoned Environment Jurisprudence in Ontario

The month of June, 2017 was full of promising decisions from the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal with respect to workplace harassment and poisoned environment. In Gricken v Andriano, the Tribunal awarded $20,000 to a complainant whose landlord persistently harassed her on the basis of sex. » Read the rest

New Decision Puts Responsibility on Employers to Remedy Poisoned Work Environments

• July 24, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on New Decision Puts Responsibility on Employers to Remedy Poisoned Work Environments

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s recent decision in George v 1735475 Ontario Limited (2017 HRTO 761) is an important precedent in combatting discrimination that permeates a work environment. This type of discrimination is known as a ‘poisoned environment’. In this case, a construction company was found liable for a racially poisoned environment. » Read the rest

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario awards compensation to tenant whose landlord “made her personal life a misery”

• July 24, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario awards compensation to tenant whose landlord “made her personal life a misery”

In Gricken v Andriano, 2017 HRTO 698, Janice Gricken brought an application before the HRTO alleging discrimination with respect to housing based on sex, age, and perceived receipt of public assistance, as well as reprisal, contrary to the Ontario Human Rights Code. » Read the rest

Ontario Superior Court Recognizes Independent Tort of Harassment in Sweeping Critique of the RCMP

• July 24, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Ontario Superior Court Recognizes Independent Tort of Harassment in Sweeping Critique of the RCMP

On February 28, 2017, the Ontario Superior Court released a lengthy, sweeping judgment, criticizing the RCMP and its officers for a prolonged campaign of harassment against Sergeant Peter Merrifield.

Over a period of seven years, the Court found that members of the RCMP had launched unsubstantiated disciplinary investigations against Sergeant Merrifield; had transferred Sergeant Merrifield away from his field of expertise and denied him assignments; accused him of “kiting” or stealing funds from his RCMP American Express card; critiqued Sergeant Merrifield for engaging in public appearances; made disparaging comments about Sergeant Merrifield to his human intelligence sources as well as other members of the RCMP; and ultimately did what they could to ensure Sergeant Merrifield’s illustrious career was stonewalled. » Read the rest

Stewart v Elk Valley Coal Corp. Summary: SCC Reaffirms Test for Discrimination but Gives a Narrow Understanding of Addiction

• June 27, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Stewart v Elk Valley Coal Corp. Summary: SCC Reaffirms Test for Discrimination but Gives a Narrow Understanding of Addiction

On June 15, 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada handed down its decision in the case of Stewart v Elk Valley Coal Corp., 2017 SCC 30.  The majority judgment affirmed the current framework for determining whether discrimination has occurred. However, bakerlaw is concerned that the majority decision could have a chilling effect on individuals suffering from an addiction, as the Court’s ruling hinged on a very narrow understanding of addiction, which impacted its decision on whether in this case, drug dependence was a factor in the termination of employment. » Read the rest

Canada’s Transportation System Should be the Most Accessible in the World, says CEO of the Canadian Transportation Agency

• June 19, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Canada’s Transportation System Should be the Most Accessible in the World, says CEO of the Canadian Transportation Agency

The Canadian Transportation Agency has been undergoing a major regulatory review, called the Regulatory Modernization Initiative, with the goal of improving all of its regulations. The is an opportunity to improve regulations regarding accessibility. Today, the CEO of the Agency, Scott Streiner, gave a speech outlining his vision to make Canada’s national transportation system the most accessible in the world.  » Read the rest

CBC covers our clients’ fight for more accessible software in the federal public service

• June 19, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on CBC covers our clients’ fight for more accessible software in the federal public service

The CBC published a story about our client’s case against the federal government regarding inaccessible internal government software and websites. You can read the full CBC story here (link). Our client, a long-time federal public servant with a disability, faced barriers with widely-used software in public service. » Read the rest

David Baker on the Agenda discussing Ageism in the Workplace

• May 24, 2017
• David Baker
• Comments Off on David Baker on the Agenda discussing Ageism in the Workplace

Watch Bakerlaw’s David Baker discuss Ageism in the Workplace on the Agenda.

Check out the video here (link).

French Prime Minister visits Community Home for the Disabled within Days of New Government Formation

• May 24, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on French Prime Minister visits Community Home for the Disabled within Days of New Government Formation

The website handicap.fr recently published an article entitled: The Prime Minister visits persons with disabilities.

Just days after the new French government was announced, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Minister of State for Disabled People Sophie Cluzel paid a visit to a community home for the disabled, at the invitation of the Simon de Cyrène foundation. » Read the rest

Federal Benefits Workers not to Play Detective

• May 24, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Federal Benefits Workers not to Play Detective

The Toronto Star has recently published an article by Jordan Press entitled: Federal benefits workers told to stay off social media when vetting applications.

The article explains how workers who determine eligibility for employment, disability, or seniors’ benefits are not permitted to use publicly available information, including social media posts, online obituaries, and municipal property information, when deciding whether someone qualifies for benefits. » Read the rest