How conflict of interest rules affect the public interest

December 20th, 2012 by Laura Bowman

Since the Redford, Katz, Ford and other scandals of late, there has been much discussion about conflict of interest rules, what is and isn’t a conflict of interest, and whether there can be degrees of conflicts of interest. What should the legislative penalties be where a conflict is found?

Conflict of interest can be a difficult subject. Various provincial and federal statutes govern conflicts of interest. Roughly speaking, a conflict of interest for a public office holder is usually defined as the exercise of an official power, duty or function that provides an opportunity to further private interests.

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Wishing you Happy Holidays — all of us!

December 19th, 2012 by Iler Campbell LLP

This year we’re all wishing you Happy Holidays. Click below to read our holiday messages.

Happy Holidays from Iler Campbell

Appeals from decisions of the Landlord and Tenant Board should be “restricted”

December 14th, 2012 by Paula Boutis

Earlier this year, Justice Matlow made a plea that appeals from decisions of the Landlord and Tenant Board be “restricted” and that perhaps leave to appeal needed to be obtained before appeals could be brought.

We wholeheartedly agree that some kind of gatekeeper function is necessary to keep frivolous and meritless appeals out of the courts.  Continue reading “Appeals from decisions of the Landlord and Tenant Board should be “restricted””

Iler Campbell cases reported

December 14th, 2012 by Paula Boutis

Two of my cases were recently reported: a housing co op eviction on behavioural and arrears grounds; and a worker co op wrongful dismissal and share claim by a former worker owner.  I’ve previously blogged about the worker co‑op case. Check out the links for the whole story of each case.

The evolving world of social finance in Ontario

December 7th, 2012 by Brian Iler and Laura Bowman

Social enterprises can find it difficult to raise capital from community‑minded investors.  Even in the non “social enterprise” sector, most capital for small and startup enterprises is still raised from friends and family rather than banks, wealthy investors or other more traditional sources.

Continue reading “The evolving world of social finance in Ontario”

R v. Cole and an employee’s reasonable expectation of privacy

November 29th, 2012 by Shelina Ali

Technology has become central to the workplace, with employers regularly providing employees with access to computers and other devices for use in the course of work and employment activities. Personal use of these devices often becomes incidental, especially as the boundaries between the workplace and home blur. As a result, questions arise over who really owns the personal information generated on these workplace devices and the extent of an employee’s privacy rights over any personal information stored on these devices.

The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision of R. v. Cole indicates that an employee’s personal information, even if stored on computers owned by an employer, may attract a reasonable expectation of privacy.

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