News & Events

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (“FSRA”) has finalized its guidelines for pension plan administrators dealing with the valuation and division of pension benefits upon marriage breakdown. These guidelines became effective on November 9, 2021, and will be reviewed by November 9, 2026. Scope These guidelines only apply to administrators of pension plans governed

In a decision released on November 15, 2021, Arbitrator Denis Nadeau found that a vaccination requirement promulgated by customers of several housekeeping contractors infringed the right to respect for private life provided for in Article 5 of the Quebec Charter of human rights and freedoms (the “Quebec Charter“)[1]. However, in light of Article 9.1 of the Charter, Arbitrator Nadeau held that

In Manitoba Federation of Labour et al v. The Government of Manitoba, the Manitoba Court of Appeal held that the province’s public sector wage restraint legislation did not violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the “Charter”). In deciding as such, the Court of Appeal overturned a ruling by the Court of Queen’s Bench. Under the leadership of

In a decision released on November 11, 2021, Arbitrator John Stout allowed a grievance filed by the Power Workers’ Union (the “PWU”) against the Electrical Safety Authority (the “ESA”) challenging a mandatory vaccination and disclosure policy. In September 2021, the ESA adopted a voluntary vaccination disclosure and testing policy (the “Voluntary Policy”) that allowed employees

After more than 40 years as a Partner of Koskie Minsky LLP, Alan Minsky will be stepping away from that position to assume the role of Counsel to the Firm, effective January 1, 2022. In his new role, Alan will serve as a valued advisor and mentor to other KM Associates and Partners and will

On January 11, 2021, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (“OSFI“) published a discussion paper, Navigating Uncertainty in Climate Change: Promoting Preparedness and Resilience to Climate-Related Risks (the “Discussion Paper“), and launched a three-month consultation period in regards to it. The goal of the consultation was to engage federally regulated financial institutions (“FRFIs“), federally

The University of Health Network’s (“UHN”) mandatory vaccination policy required all of its more than 17,000 employees to be fully vaccinated or face termination of their employment, commencing October 22, 2021. Justice Sean Dunphy of the Ontario Superior Court issued an interim injunction on October 22, 2021, in response to a motion brought by several

On October 25, 2021, the Government of Ontario introduced Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021 (“Bill 27”) to amend, among other things, the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA“). If passed, Bill 27 and the amendments it includes, would significantly alter the employer-employee relationship. The changes proposed by Bill 27 include: New Part VII.0.1 – Right to Disconnect

We are excited to announce that Nancy Shapiro has been selected by her peers as one of Post City Magazine’s Top Lawyers in the GTA. She, and the other winners, are featured in the November issue of Post City Magazines. Nancy Shapiro has over 20 years of experience and is recognized by Lexpert, Best Lawyers

Is labour arbitration the only avenue for unionized employees to seek redress for human rights violations? This issue—arbitral jurisdiction vis-à-vis the jurisdiction of other courts and tribunals to hear disputes in unionized workplaces—has been the subject of considerable legal debate. In Linda Horrocks v Northern Regional Health Authority, the SCC recently held that, absent legislative intention