Articles about ‘Human rights’

June 30, 2009 is the last day to refile human rights complaints

• May 19, 2009
• David Baker
• Comments Off on June 30, 2009 is the last day to refile human rights complaints

June 30, 2009 is the last day to refile an existing human rights complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (the Tribunal).

As of June 30, 2008, people in Ontario who believe they have experienced discrimination must file an application directly with the Tribunal rather than with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (the Commission). » Read the rest

Joint Statement re Benamar Benatta by Prominent Human Rights Organizations

• December 30, 2008
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Joint Statement re Benamar Benatta by Prominent Human Rights Organizations

11 December 2008

The Honourable Peter Van Loan
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
269 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P8

Dear Minister,

We are writing this letter out of a deep concern about the Government of Canada’s Statement of Defence recently filed in the Ontario Superior Court in the case of Benamar Benatta…view the full statement in Adobe pdf format or in text format.

Air Canada charges extra fare to woman for her immobilized leg

• December 11, 2008
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Air Canada charges extra fare to woman for her immobilized leg

In January of this year, Bakerlaw clients won a landmark ruling requiring airlines to provide an extra seat to disabled Canadians for a medical attendant or if required by their condition.

The decision takes effect on January 9th, 2009. In the meantime, unfortunately, Air Canada has required a Newfoundland woman to pay for an extra seat because her leg is in a cast and cannot be bent. » Read the rest

Let’s stop penalizing disabilities – including obesity

• December 11, 2008
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Let’s stop penalizing disabilities – including obesity

The Globe and Mail today published an excellent opinion piece by Andre Picard on the one person, one fare case. (In January of this year, Bakerlaw and its clients, the council of Canadians With Disabilities, won a landmark ruling in the case requiring airlines to provide an extra seat to disabled Canadians for a medical attendant or if required by their condition.) » Read the rest

Supreme Court Rejects Application for Leave to Appeal in Autism Class Action Lawsuit

• December 4, 2008
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Supreme Court Rejects Application for Leave to Appeal in Autism Class Action Lawsuit

Today the Supreme Court of Canada rejected the application for leave to appeal filed by the plaintiffs in the Ontario Autism Class Action Lawsuit.

The five families behind the case, which seeks full and timely access to treatment and education for children with autism, expressed their disappointment over the decision, and noted that they would be meeting with David Baker, their legal counsel, in the coming days to determine next steps. » Read the rest

Families Take Autism Class Action to Supreme Court of Canada

• August 26, 2008
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Families Take Autism Class Action to Supreme Court of Canada

The plaintiffs in the Ontario Autism Class Action Lawsuit announced today that they are taking their case to the Supreme Court of Canada, continuing their battle for full and timely access to effective treatment and education for children with autism. Bakerlaw is legal counsel to the five families behind the case. » Read the rest

One person, one fare appeal rejected

• May 9, 2008
• David Baker
• Comments Off on One person, one fare appeal rejected

Bakerlaw’s one person, one fare case has received extensive media coverage in the wake of a recent Federal Court of Appeal ruling that rejected a bid by Air Canada and WestJet challenging the one person, one fare policy.

The Canadian Transport Agency ruled early this year that airlines must provide severely disabled Canadians with and additional airline seat without charge for a medical attendant or if their condition requires it. » Read the rest

Social justice: how law firms devoted to pro bono work & doing good get by

• April 11, 2008
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Social justice: how law firms devoted to pro bono work & doing good get by

Bakerlaw was featured extensively in a story published today in Lawyer’s Weekly on social justice law firms.

“We try to be creative in how we bring these cases forwards, pro bono, sometimes on a contingency or cap fee basis,” the firm’s Nicole Chrolavicius tells reporter Ben Singer. » Read the rest

Justin Clark: Disabled leave the shadows

• March 18, 2008
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Justin Clark: Disabled leave the shadows

The Toronto Star’s Helen Henderson today published two stories featuring Justin Clark, who with the help of David Baker won a landmark court case in the early 1980s that gave him the right to leave behind life in an institution and live independently:

“For 16 years, Clark heard nothing from his parents – until he turned 18 and a couple of friends started inviting him out on excursions. » Read the rest

Toronto man haunted by U.S. jail nightmares

• February 29, 2008
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Toronto man haunted by U.S. jail nightmares

The Toronto Star today reported on the plight of Bakerlaw client Benamar Benatta. Mr. Benatta, who was illegally transferred by Canadian officials to the US on September 12, 2001 and held for five years in American custody, is calling on Canadian authorities for a public review of his case. » Read the rest