A Manner of Thinking: Environmental Law – June 2023
Can an Employer Discriminate Against an Employee Based on Residency Status?
The Court of Appeal recently released its decision in respect of the much-awaited case Imperial Oil Limited v Haseeb. We have hyperlinked the case for those who would like to read the entire decision. Mr. Haseeb, “the Employee” in this case appealed the decision made by the Divisional Court, which overturned the Ontario Human Rights […]
Starting a Will Challenge in Ontario: An Overview of Rule 75.03
Anyone with a financial interest in an estate may challenge the validity of a will if they have legitimate grounds for believing that the will is invalid. The procedure for commencing a will challenge in Ontario is governed in most cases by Rule 75.03 of the Rules of the Civil Procedure, and it includes the […]
Some Thoughts on Lawyers and Law Firms
“A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” Henrik Ibsen The Bar To practice law in Ontario requires membership in the Law Society of Ontario (LSO). The LSO governs Ontario’s lawyers and paralegals in recognition of its duty to protect the public interest, to maintain and advance the […]
What is a Parenting Plan and Why Do I Need One?
A parenting plan is a written document that parents prepare to outline how they will raise their children after a separation. If you are a parent who is going through a separation or divorce, you may have many questions about how to raise your children with your former partner. One of the most important things […]
When Should I Renew My Will?
Lawyers are often asked “when should I renew my Will?”, or “how long does my Will last for?”. While the answer may seem simple, it is typically misunderstood by, or unknown to, the average person. A Will is a legal document, that allows you to set out wishes pertaining to your Estate and how it […]
No Doubling Down: Staying Duplicative Provincial Offences Act Charges
Both in my commercial and employment litigation practice, I encounter Ontario business owners faced with serious charges laid against them under the Provincial Offences Act (“POA”). These charges usually stem from breaching the “Offences” provisions in statutes such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, […]
The World of Commercial Leasing with Neil Schwartz, Marina Abrosimov and Jeff Daniels
This episode of A Manner of Speaking covers the wonderful world of commercial leasing and features host Neil Schwartz’s business law colleague Marina Abrosimov and the one (and only?) Jeff Daniels – no, not the Hollywood celebrity, but the one from Royal Lepage, an A-lister in Ottawa’s commercial real estate market. Among the important topics they discuss: commercial leasing trends across various […]
The Supreme Court of Canada Rules that Informal Separation Agreements Between Spouses Carry Weight
The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in Anderson v. Anderson, 2023 SCC 13, provides guidance on domestic contracts and the enforceability of an informal separation agreement between spouses. The Supreme Court noted that “On the one hand, individual autonomy to settle domestic affairs should be encouraged, as parties are generally better positioned than courts […]