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The content on this page is no longer being updated here.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.
New Online Complaint System seeks to Hold Canadian Businesses Accountable for Human Rights Abuses
- April 28, 2021
- Khalid Mahdi
- Comments Off on New Online Complaint System seeks to Hold Canadian Businesses Accountable for Human Rights Abuses
In March 2021, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) launched an online form (link) that would allow foreign individuals, organizations and communities to file complaints of possible human rights violations arising from the operations of Canadian companies operating abroad. » Read the rest
BC Human Rights Tribunal makes historic damages award to victim of racial harassment – but leaves him to swallow high legal costs
- February 8, 2021
- Laura Lepine
- Comments Off on BC Human Rights Tribunal makes historic damages award to victim of racial harassment – but leaves him to swallow high legal costs
On January 28, 2021, the BC Human Rights Tribunal awarded a former corrections officer nearly $1 million in damages for the racial discrimination he experienced in the workplace.
The decision marks the highest general damages award from the BC Tribunal. It comes just over 1.5 years after the Tribunal found that Levan Francis, a Black man, experienced discrimination in employment on the grounds of race and colour, as well as retaliation. » 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
(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
HRTO Delays Compromise Access to Justice
- September 1, 2020
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on HRTO Delays Compromise Access to Justice
Most of bakerlaw’s work occurs at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). Since the Ford government came to power, the Tribunal has been struggling to address cases in a timely manner. At first, there was the consolidation of the Social Justice Tribunals into Tribunals Ontario (link). » Read the rest
Have Your Say: Help Create Accessibility Standards
- August 10, 2020
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Have Your Say: Help Create Accessibility Standards
Accessibility Canada is looking for participants to help shape accessibility standards aimed at addressing barriers faced by Canadians with disabilities in the following areas:
- employment
- the built environment
- information and communication technologies
- communication, other than information and communication technologies
- the procurement of goods, services and facilities
- the design and delivery of programs and services
- transportation
Check this website of opportunities to get involved and have your say (link).
Accessing and Preparing for Virtual Hearings
- August 6, 2020
- Kimberly Srivastava
- Comments Off on Accessing and Preparing for Virtual Hearings
Are you participating in an upcoming remote hearing? Wondering what to do and how to prepare? Check out these resources on Best Practices for Virtual Hearings (link). These resources may be particularly helpful for self-represented litigants.
If you have an upcoming hearing and are looking for a consultation, we might be able to help. » Read the rest
Changes At Bakerlaw
- July 29, 2020
- David Baker
- Comments Off on Changes At Bakerlaw
Bakerlaw is pleased to announce that it has been growing, regionalizing and adding new leadership.
Starting today it begins a second stage to the achievement of these goals, projected to extend over the coming year that will include the addition of experienced litigators, the launching of an access to justice initiative and working collaboratively to establish a law and policy centre that will be involved in research, international consulting and graduate level education. » Read the rest
New changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board as of October 1, 2019
- September 27, 2019
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on New changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board as of October 1, 2019
The Government of Ontario announced plans to enhance the Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP) to replace the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB). The program will be known as the Victim Quick Response Program + (VQRP+), which builds on the existing VQRP program by making it easier for victims and their families to access services and supports and getting them support faster. » Read the rest
Unbundling legal services
- August 22, 2019
- BakerLaw
- Comments Off on Unbundling legal services
The Law Society of Ontario (formerly the Law Society of Upper Canada) published an article related to professional obligations regarding unbundling legal services. You can read this article here (link).
Unbundling legal services are limited scope retainers whereby the client and their attorney agree to limit the scope of the attorney’s involvement in the legal matter. » Read the rest