B.C. Court of Appeal confirms that secretly recording conversations with Co-workers can be just cause for dismissal
In Shalagin v. Mercer Celgar Limited Partnership, 2023 BCCA 373 (CanLII), the British Columbia Court of Appeal affirmed the lower court’s decision that the employee’s surreptitious recordings of his colleagues constituted just cause for his dismissal. Background The appellant, Mr. Shalagin, became a Chartered Professional Accountant and was employed by the respondent Mercer Celgar Limited Partnership as a financial analyst for ten years. He was not asked to sign a written employment contract; however, he was bound by Mercer’s policies, including a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and a confidentiality policy.[1] He was also subject to the Chartered Professional Accountants ... [more] Full article
The Ontario Court of Appeal Confirms: Independent Contractors Have a Duty to Mitigate
In a brief new decision, Monterosso (cob Trust Leasing Canada) v Metro Freightliner Hamilton Inc, 2023 ONCA 413, the Ontario Court of Appeal has clarified the scope of the duty ... [more] Full article
Slapping a woman’s buttocks at work is just cause for termination, but not wilful misconduct?
Slapping a woman’s buttocks in the workplace without remorse can be just cause for termination, the Ontario Court of Appeal recently held, but, oddly, in this case the dismissed employee ... [more] Full article
Court Finds Employee’s Reaction to Missed Promotion was Cause for Dismissal
In a recent decision, Thomas v. Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Inc., the Court of Appeal of Saskatchewan re-affirmed the governing principles applicable to dismissal for cause. This case provides guidance ... [more] Full article
- Sexual harassment and failure to accept employer’s disciplinary measures is cause for termination
- Employee not entitled to wrongful dismissal damages for share bonus (dividend) during notice period, Court of Appeal affirms
- Court of Appeal to revisit employee’s right to wrongful dismissal damages regarding shareholdings
- Actions speak louder than words: dependent contractors’ big win upheld
Employment Litigation Contributors
Michael Binetti
Michael Binetti, a partner of the firm, brings a proven litigation background plus extensive experience in arguing both trials and appeals. He has demonstrated his strategic legal capability and expertise in wide-ranging areas of litigation. Michael’s peers and clients have commented that Michael is an “excellent and creative lawyer,” “finds unique solutions to complex problems,” and that “Michael gets it and knows how to win.”
Kenneth A. Dekker
Kenneth Dekker, a partner of the firm, is a successful trial and appellate lawyer who is valued by his clients as a resourceful and practical litigation counsel. Over more than two decades, Ken has litigated noteworthy cases in a range of fields that include class action defence, securities and broker-dealer litigation and regulatory defence, corporate and shareholder disputes (including oppression and winding up cases), defamation, civil fraud litigation, disputes over contracts, injunctions, professional liability litigation, employment litigation and cross-border litigation issues. Ken has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken also represents and advises clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Ken has been ranked as Repeatedly Recommended for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell.
Meredith Hayward
Meredith has earned an impressive reputation for her skill and abilities in Commercial Litigation and Administrative Law, appearing at all levels of court in Ontario, before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Masiel A. Matus
Masiel has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex matters. Masiel has experience litigating cases involving professional negligence, commercial leasing and real property disputes, insurance, contract disputes, shareholder disputes, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, employment matters and defamation claims.
Ardita Sinojmeri
Ardita joins Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP as an Associate Lawyer after completing her articles with the firm. Her growing practice encompasses a broad range of litigation matters including securities litigation, insurance defence, employment disputes, and shareholder disputes. Ardita earned her Juris Doctor from Western University’s Faculty of Law. Prior to joining the firm, she participated in a number of initiatives aimed at helping individuals and businesses struggling through COVID-19. Ardita looks forward to putting her legal, business, and community engagement skills to use in all the firm’s practice areas.
David N. Vaillancourt
David's practice expertise focuses on all matters of Commercial and Civil Litigation, Competition and Administrative Law. David has acted for clients in a wide range of disputes, including shareholder and partnership disputes, securities litigation, class action defence, proceedings under the Competition Act, employment law disputes, contract disputes, breach of confidence/intellectual property disputes, fidelity bond claims, and professional negligence claims. David has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and has also appeared before the Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal. David has appeared as lead counsel in numerous trials, hearings, and motions. David has been successful in numerous adversarial proceedings, and also has successfully negotiated the resolution of dozens of cases.
