Background Gail Cameron was brought up in the restaurant and accounting businesses. Her husband Jack had a strong trucking background. In June 1978, the couple had acquired Cedar Service Centre on 12 acres of land located on the former Highway 17 west of Ottawa from Gail's mother. They built a … [Read more...]
Politician Resignations and Personal Liability for By-Election Costs
“I look forward to working with and representing you.” - Premier Jim Prentice, January 1, 2015“My contribution to public life has come to an end.” -Premier Jim Prentice, May 5, 2015 within minutes of being elected as an MLA Introduction Several months ago, this employment column discussed … [Read more...]
Small Claims Court: A Venue Made for Self-Represented Litigants
Introduction A few years ago, while stopped on a major road in congested Calgary commuter traffic, our vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. We were hit with such force that our car was pushed into the car in front of us. The road and visibility were excellent and we all knew the … [Read more...]
Quitting and Giving Notice: What Employees Need to Know
IntroductionSince employees like to be in control of their lives, they think they can quit an employer any time it suits them. But woe to the employer who feels the same way about terminating employees. Somehow employees think employers cannot freely dismiss employees but employees can … [Read more...]
When Free Trade is Not Free: the Abitibi Case
We will not give away our valuable timber and water resources to a company that does not honour its historic commitments … [w]e will, therefore, today introduce a bill to ensure these valuable natural resources are returned to their rightful owners – the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.– … [Read more...]
Mandatory Retirement: Not so Fast!
“In cases where concern for the employee’s capacity is largely economic . . . it may be difficult, if not impossible, to demonstrate that mandatory retirement at a fixed age, without regard to individual capacity, may be validly imposed . . .”- Ontario Human Rights Commission v. Etobicoke, … [Read more...]
Wedding Law: By the Authority Vested in Me . . .
Add getting married to the list of activities in modern Canadian society which today is easy, chock full of options and as quick as you want it. This article is a brief summary of wedding law in Canada. Federal Marriage Legislation While our Constitution Act, 1867, section 91(26) confers … [Read more...]
The Duty of Unions to Fairly Represent Their Members
Introduction About one-third of all Canadian workers, and most public sector employees, are members of unions, sometimes by choice and sometimes by legislation. Unions offer greater collective power than an individual generally can marshal for the negotiation and administration of collective … [Read more...]
The Right to Refuse Dangerous Work
There may, undoubtedly, be cases justifying a wilful disobedience of such an order; as where the servant apprehends danger to her life, or violence to her person, from the master; or where, from an infectious disorder raging in the house, she must go out for the preservation of her life. But the … [Read more...]
Marc Ribeiro v. Dragons’ Den
Introduction The modern phenomenon of reality television can be a tough business. What makes it interesting for viewers is what appears to be the spontaneous drama, the unpredictable turns and utterances and the raw, unscripted human confrontation. Television broadcasts the glorious performances … [Read more...]
