Labour & Employment

  • August 28, 2026

    Federal Court of Appeal upholds Human Rights Act’s $20,000 compensation caps

    The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a constitutional challenge to two $20,000 compensation caps under the Canadian Human Rights Act — one for pain and suffering and the other for wilful or reckless discrimination — rejecting arguments that the limits violated successful complainants’ equality rights.

  • August 28, 2026

    Canada highlights 50% counter-tariffs, $7.5B in support for businesses and workers

    As of Sept. 8, Canada will impose counter-tariffs of 15, 25 and 50 per cent on products drawn from the list of those targeted by U.S. tariffs, with the rate for each product matching the corresponding U.S. rate. The number of tariffed goods has dropped by nearly 200, from over 800 to now 629.

  • August 28, 2026

    Rethinking Canada’s caregiver programs: Insights from Hong Kong’s model

    Canada’s productivity debate usually focuses on taxes, capital and permits, but care availability is also an economic variable. According to Statistics Canada, in 2024, 59.5 per cent of Canadian child care centres were operating at maximum capacity, 77.3 per cent had active waitlists and 86.4 per cent reported difficulty filling vacant positions.

  • August 28, 2026

    One win for employers, one for employees, and one for me

    It is not often that the Ontario Court of Appeal hands employers and employees each a win within the same week, but that is what happened this summer. And if you act for either side, or, like me, you spend much of your week mediating these disputes and nudging both parties toward a sensible number, the court just gave you two decisions worth reading.

  • August 28, 2026

    Optometrist’s machine: When a tool becomes expert, what are the implications for legal decision-making?

    In this three-part series, I will look at my experiences with artificial intelligence and how it might impact the legal profession going forward.

  • August 27, 2026

    Groups in Manitoba must work together to break down A2J barriers: law society

    The inability to afford a lawyer remains the biggest barrier to legal services in Manitoba, but obstacles also arise when various bodies operate in silos rather than coming together to serve the “whole person,” an official says following the release of a survey on access to justice in the province. Earlier this month, the Law Society of Manitoba (LSM) released its “What We Heard from Community Report” as part of its ongoing Access to Justice (A2J) Initiative.

  • August 27, 2026

    Counsel should check that trial transcripts filed on appeal aren’t AI-created fakes, lawyer advises

    As AI-generated court filings by self-represented litigants proliferate, appellate counsel should read trial transcripts that are ostensibly “certified” more closely than ever and do so earlier in the appeal process as they might be AI-created fakes, advises a senior family law practitioner.

  • August 26, 2026

    Purposefully vague ‘morality clauses’ in entertainment law contracts must be more defined

    The death of actress Hayden Panettiere has sent social media into a frenzy, sparking calls to boycott Neutrogena after her claims circulated that she lost her endorsement deal for speaking publicly about postpartum depression. The fallout shows how the fine print governing celebrity and influencer morality clauses has failed to keep pace with modern realities, with real consequences for both talent and brands. Morality clauses should be watched carefully by every entertainment lawyer in a digital age.

  • August 26, 2026

    Labour, NDP back tariff response, seek more support as Conservatives warn of costs

    Labour unions and the NDP are backing Ottawa’s response to new U.S. tariffs while calling for stronger worker supports, as business groups and Conservatives urge the government to minimize the counter-tariffs’ costs for Canadian businesses and consumers.

  • August 26, 2026

    Canada needs an enhanced visa assurance framework

    Canada should establish a transparent, evidence-based framework under which immigration applications connected to jurisdictions presenting demonstrable verification, fraud or security challenges receive enhanced scrutiny and, subject to narrow exceptions, a mandatory in-person visa interview.