Human Rights

Webinar recording: Occupational Health and Safety in the time of COVID-19

October 28th, 2021 by Iler Campbell

A recording of this webinar is now online. You can also download the slides as a pdf here.

These days, the duty of an employer to provide a safe and healthy workplace is raising far more questions than ever before, such as how to deal with complaints of harassment, what steps employers have to take as workplaces begin to reopen in the pandemic, and should employers be concerned about employees who work remotely? Iler Campbell lawyer Michael Hackl discuses some of the issues that employers should be aware of in order to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Emotional Support Dog Evicted After Condo Tribunal Hearing

October 27th, 2021 by Maggie Fleming

Emotional support animals can provide vital supports to those living with disabilities. We have explored this subject in previous blog posts, which can be found here: “Service animals for mental health” & “Could Air Canada’s ban on emotional support animals be challenged?”

We were interested to read a recent case, Halton Standard Condominium Corporation No.490 v Paikin 2021, in which the Ontario Condo Authority Tribunal (CAT) issued a decision to evict an emotional support dog from a condo in Oakville.

The owner had consistently allowed the dog to urinate and defecate on the second-floor balcony, which dripped down onto the patio below. There was extensive evidence, including photos, of this behaviour. The condo had not tried to resolve the issue directly with the owner, and instead sent the matter to the condo’s lawyer to deal with. After the lawyer sent an initial warning letter to the owner, the condo board declared the dog a nuisance and the lawyer sent a subsequent letter giving the owner two weeks to remove the dog. The CAT decision‑maker decided that the behaviour was sufficiently severe enough to require removal of the dog, only after the condo board “considered communicating” with the owner to come to a resolution. Continue reading “Emotional Support Dog Evicted After Condo Tribunal Hearing”

What to do if you’re experiencing online harassment (from a legal perspective)

October 5th, 2021 by Michael Hackl

This article was first published on rabble.ca

The internet can be a horrible place, where people can spread conspiracy theories and misinformation and can make defamatory and harassing comments about others. The nature of the internet means its users have the ability to post comments that are then instantaneously distributed around the world with a simple click, which can magnify the impact of online harassment dramatically.

In an increasingly polarized social and political world, the internet has revealed itself to be a useful and common conduit for people who wish to participate in such harmful behaviours. Continue reading “What to do if you’re experiencing online harassment (from a legal perspective)”

Human Rights Commission clarifies Mandatory Vaccination

September 22nd, 2021 by Celia Chandler

Today the Ontario government’s proof of vaccine certificate goes into effect for specific higher-risk indoor public settings where masking is not possible. At the same time, other organizations have made their own decisions to follow the provincial lead and implement their own vaccine policies. 

We have heard many people using human rights related arguments to justify remaining unvaccinated on medical grounds or on the ground of creed or a belief system. Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released a statement on this issue.  

Continue reading “Human Rights Commission clarifies Mandatory Vaccination”

Unvaccinated employees could in fact lose their jobs

July 30th, 2021 by Michael Hackl

This article was first posted to rabble.ca.

Earlier this year, I wrote a Pro Bono column on how people felt that COVID-19 restrictions were infringing on their rights and freedoms. At the risk of being seen as a “one trick pony,” I wanted to address another aspect of how COVID might be seen as infringing on our personal freedoms. Continue reading “Unvaccinated employees could in fact lose their jobs”

Could Air Canada’s ban on emotional support animals be challenged?

June 28th, 2021 by Claudia Pedrero

Animals are an essential form of support for many living with disabilities.

Most people are familiar with service dogs who support people with physical disabilities — such as guide dogs assisting people with visual impairment. Animals can also provide psychiatric and cognitive support to people with mental disabilities, including anxiety and post‑traumatic stress disorder. Continue reading “Could Air Canada’s ban on emotional support animals be challenged?”