What you should know about workplace harassment

August 7th, 2020 by Michael Hackl

This article was first published on rabble.ca

In the course of my work and in reading the news lately, I am seeing a lot of issues come up involving workplace health and safety. Many of those issues are related to COVID-19 — for example, some employers are deciding to let staff work remotely for the rest of the year, and some employees that are being called back to work are expressing concerns about the safety of doing so.

However, even in the midst of the pandemic, there are still non-COVID related workplace health and safety issues, and possibly the highest profile issue of that nature in Canada recently involves the allegations of workplace harassment made against the Governor General. The allegations have garnered a lot of media attention, but the unfortunate reality is that they are not that unusual. It is only because the allegations involve the Governor General that they are getting media coverage, and not because of the subject matter of the allegations. With that in mind, I thought it would be worthwhile to take a look at a couple of issues that often arise in the context of workplace harassment. Continue reading “What you should know about workplace harassment”

UPDATE: Some Helpful Clarifications from the LTB Regarding Evictions

August 5th, 2020 by Iler Campbell

This post is an update to our April 9, 2020 blog post.

The Ontario Superior Court issued an Order on March 19, 2020, suspending evictions until the end of the calendar month in which the provincial state of emergency is terminated. In accordance with the Order, the Landlord and Tenant Board stated that it would be suspending all hearings related to evictions unless the matter is urgent, such as a serious and ongoing health or safety issue at the residential complex or a serious illegal act that occurred at the residential complex. Despite the suspension of non‑urgent evictions, Landlords were still able to serve eviction notices and subsequently file an eviction application.

The Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to Covid‑19) Act, 2020 became law on July 24, 2020. Section 17 of this statute states “Unless it has been terminated before this section comes into force, the COVID‑19 declared emergency is terminated and Ontario Regulation 50/20 (Declaration of Emergency) is revoked.”  Therefore, as of August 1, 2020, residential evictions are no longer suspended. Continue reading “UPDATE: Some Helpful Clarifications from the LTB Regarding Evictions”

A shattered supply chain and unprecedented online demand; how Coach House Books has weathered the pandemic

July 28th, 2020 by Iler Campbell
Coach House Books' Heidelberg printing press

Coach House Books’ Heidelberg printing press

Having some time at home — okay, a lot of time at home — during the pandemic has reminded many Canadians how edifying, relaxing, and downright satisfying it is to read a good book. The pandemic also reminded a lot of us how important it is to support smaller and local businesses. So, as people settled into lock-down, demand for Coach House books was high. But with a shattered supply chain, it was difficult for them to meet that demand.

Coach House Books publishes literary fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, and is one of only three publishers in Canada to print their own books; they have a Heidelberg press in their office, an old coach house in an alley at Bloor and Spadina in downtown Toronto. But the shut-down order issued by the province in mid-March meant that they had to close down the printing shop — at a time when only half of their Spring 2020 books had been printed. Those titles have now been rescheduled for times throughout the rest of the year.

Continue reading “A shattered supply chain and unprecedented online demand; how Coach House Books has weathered the pandemic”

Client Profile: How the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto is navigating COVID‑19

July 9th, 2020 by Iler Campbell

Audrey King, a Direct Funding program participant since 1995, and her attendant, Louis George wearing face shields as part of the personal protective equipment used to keep each other safe.

Through the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, information about where to find precious commodities like masks and gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) items was shared and traded by many, particularly by individuals with disabilities who need regular physical assistance with activities of daily living like showering and dressing. Many people checked with traditional sources like medical supply stores, online retailers and big box stores, but not everyone would think to order surgical masks from their local convenience store to be delivered the same day, no less, via a food delivery and takeout app.

This unique suggestion came from one Toronto man in a Zoom call with a few dozen other participants of the Direct Funding program, which is administered by the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT). The participants are funded by the program to hire and manage the workers who assist them through the day; since it is impossible to maintain physical distance when one person is helping another to take a shower, PPE is critical for the health and safety of both individuals.

Continue reading “Client Profile: How the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto is navigating COVID‑19”

Client Profile: Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust

July 2nd, 2020 by Iler Campbell
PNLT members and supporters celebrate the purchase of a 15-unit rooming house in Parkdale, the first affordable housing project of the land trust.

PNLT members and supporters celebrate the purchase of a 15-unit rooming house in Parkdale, the first affordable housing project of the land trust.

Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust (PNLT) was forged from the collective vision of community members and non‑profit organizations active in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto: to create an organization focused on preserving affordability, diversity and community‑owned assets.

As a result of steep increases in land values in Toronto, the neighbourhood has seen significant changes. Parkdale is home to a high concentration of affordable housing, including rental, social and supportive housing, and rooming houses. As rising prices see progressively more affluent residents moving in, PNLT’s goal is to ensure that everyone, particularly those with fewer resources and lower incomes, can also benefit from the changes in the neighbourhood.

Continue reading “Client Profile: Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust”

Free webinar: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities for Housing Providers in COVID-19

July 2nd, 2020 by Iler Campbell

Update: a video of this webinar is now online. You can watch it below:

Join us Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 2 PM for a free webinar hosted by Neighbourhood Legal Services and Iler Campbell.

As emergency restrictions lift across Ontario, the medical community is alerting us to a so-called “fourth wave” of the pandemic: mental health and trauma. Supportive housing providers, residential care facilities, transitional or therapeutic homes, and non-profits and co-ops have had to quickly find ways to ensure the physical safety of staff and residents. While these precautions may prevent the spread of the virus, they can also lead to increased isolation and deteriorating mental health for residents. As restrictions begin to lift, organizations will be facing more questions about how to strike a balanced approach which fulfills their legal obligations to provide a safe living environment, with other legal obligations – including the Human Rights Code.

This webinar will talk you through some of these tough questions. Safia Lakhani (lawyer, Iler Campbell LLP) and Linette King (NLS staff housing lawyer) will discuss some of the common legal questions and concerns being raised by both housing providers and residents, and will provide perspectives on how your organization can strike the right balance.

Register to attend on Zoom.

We welcome your questions in advance. You can post them on the event page on Facebook or send them to the hosts privately.

**This event is for legal information only, and will not provide legal advice. No solicitor-client relationship is created with either Iler Campbell LLP or NLS Toronto by participating in this event.**