In-House Counsel
-
May 29, 2024
More Ontario schools, school boards join $4.5 billion lawsuit against social media giants
A number of school boards and private schools in Ontario have joined a multi-billion dollar lawsuit against tech giants Meta, Snapchat and TikTok for allegedly disrupting student learning and the education system.
-
May 29, 2024
Politically exposed persons and money laundering, part two
Politically exposed persons (PEPs) are individuals who hold prominent public positions or have close associations with such individuals. Due to their influential roles, PEPs are considered to be at a higher risk of being involved in corrupt activities, including money laundering. However, it is crucial to emphasize that being a PEP does not grant immunity from the law, especially when it comes to money laundering.
-
May 29, 2024
Cellphones in Ontario schools, the voice of the child: Both on silent | Marvin Zuker
According to Ontario Premier Doug Ford on April 30, 2024, “[I]t’s staggering numbers, the numbers I’ve seen with parents supporting the ban because they want their kids to go to school and learn — not to be on social media and fiddling around with their cellphones during class,” he said. “Outside of class, all the power to them. You can do whatever you want. But while you’re in learning, you’ve got to learn. The teachers want the kids to pay attention. It’s as simple as that. It’s not that complicated. Don’t use the phones.” (Toronto Star, April 30, 2024.)
-
May 28, 2024
Federal government’s ‘anti-scab’ legislation passes unanimously in Commons
The House of Commons has passed the government’s so-called anti-scab legislation to prevent the use of replacement workers in federally regulated workplaces.
-
May 28, 2024
Commercial arbitration awards: Why courts won’t interfere
Under Ontario’s Arbitration Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c.17 (the Act), domestic arbitration awards are notoriously difficult to appeal to the courts.
-
May 28, 2024
Keep the peace and be of good behaviour | Norman Douglas
I ordered thousands of people to do that.
-
May 27, 2024
How a defamation claim survived an anti-SLAPP motion
Media organizations faced with a defamation action may seek to dismiss a claim by bringing a motion under Ontario’s anti-SLAPP legislation in s. 137.1 of the Courts of Justice Act (CJA). While such motions are generally brought at an early stage of the action and are supposed to be heard no later than 60 days after the notice of motion is filed, they may involve an adjudication of the merits of the claim and the validity of all the defences that would be addressed at trial, as demonstrated by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s decision in Kielburger v. Canadaland Inc., 2024 ONSC 2622.
-
May 27, 2024
Indigenous Peoples’ Court welcome addition to city of Sudbury | Michael Michel
On May 2, 2024, Sudbury, Ont., became home to the 20th Indigenous Peoples’ Court in the province. In a special sitting of the Ontario Court of Justice, members of local First Nations, the judiciary and various community stakeholders gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion.
-
May 27, 2024
Court of King’s Bench of Alberta: Common ailments do not meet definition of physical disability
Physical disability, which includes disability, injury or illness, is a protected ground under human rights legislation. As a protected ground, employers have a duty to accommodate employees with physical disability. However, common ailments such as the flu do not fall under this protected ground, as determined by the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.
-
May 27, 2024
Tough luck for rule breakers: B.C. court cracks down on WorkSafeBC OHS violations
In British Columbia (Workers’ Compensation Board) v. D & G Hazmat Services Ltd., 2024 BCCA 127, the British Columbia Court of Appeal reversed a decision by the British Columbia Supreme Court (BCSC) dismissing the Workers’ Compensation Board’s petition for a statutory injunction.