Actions speak louder than words: dependent contractors’ big win upheld
Two dependent contractors will receive $125,000 each after the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld an award of 26 months notice in the recent decision in Keenan v. Canac Kitchens Ltd., reinforcing that the legal nature of a service relationship will be determined by the conduct of the parties, not the language used to define it. On appeal, Canac unsuccessfully challenged the trial judge’s finding that Lawrence and Marilyn Keenan were dependant, rather than independent, contractors and the length of the notice period – 26 months in circumstances that do not appear to be exceptional. The plaintiffs, who were also spouses, ... [more] Full article
Employee suspension ruled constructive dismissal: Supreme Court
Employers would be wise to consider the terms of an employee’s contract before administratively suspending him or her. The Supreme Court of Canada held that administrative suspensions must be both ... [more] Full article
Temporary Workers, Interns Given New Protections
Temporary workers, unpaid interns and foreign nationals will soon be better protected under amendments to Ontario’s employment laws. Employees will also be able to recover more of their unpaid wages ... [more] Full article
Court Reduces Notice Period, Employee Should Have Known Better
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently reduced the notice period awarded to a wrongfully terminated employee for his failure to properly read his contract before signing on the dotted ... [more] Full article