ABOUT
Get the latest update on employment law legislation and complex regulatory concerns at the Employment Law Masterclass Toronto – where we’ll be unpacking critical information, evolving employment trends, and what the new normal means for your business.
We’ll be addressing questions like:
- How can employers accommodate workers with mental or physical disabilities while still meeting business goals?
- How can employers identify and respond to incidents of bullying and harassment in the office and in hybrid workplaces?
- How can employers best manage employee privacy and balance it with the needs of the business?
Get the insights you need, from top lawyers who know best – reserve your seat and be part of the conversation.
Why attend?
Learn the steps you can take to manage employee accommodations
Stay on top of the changing rules and regulations surrounding employee contracts
Understand your obligations regarding employee privacy both in the office and in remote and hybrid workplaces.
2023 SPEAKERS

R. Mark Fletcher
Partner
Grosman Gale Fletcher Hopkins LLP


Matthew Certosimo
Partner
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP


Stephanie Weschler
Partner
Stikeman Elliot LLP


Lorenzo Lisi
Partner
Aird & Berlis LLP


Rachel Turnpenney
Partner
Turnpenney Milne LLP


Wendy Glaser
Director of Pay Equity
KPMG


Laura Blumenfeld
Partner
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP


Lisa Cabel
National Employment & Labour Lead
KPMG in Canada


Chris Foulon
Partner
Israel Foulon Wong LLP


Lisa Goodfellow
Partner, Leader, Labour & Employment
Miller Thomson LLP


Mathias Link
Partner
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP


Hendrik Niuewland
Partner
Shields O’Donnell Mackillop LLP
2023 AGENDA
All times in ET
-
-
Opening remarks
-
Case study: Understanding new developments in recent just cause termination case law
Just cause terminations represent a high bar for employers to meet, requiring appropriate processes and strategies. This presentation will examine recent decisions in just cause termination cases, and identify what employers need to be aware of when making a case to avoid potential drawn out legal battles.
- Overview of recent just cause cases, and how the decisions were made
- Tips for drafting enforceable termination clauses to minimize liability
- What to avoid when pursuing a just cause termination
Matthew Certosimo
Partner
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP -
Case study: Employment contracts – Identifying potential problems to avoid legal challenges
The increasing complexity in employment law continues to be a challenge for employers, particularly in regard to contracts. Companies need to stay on top of fast changing regulations to avoid legal issues. This session will provide an update on common issues associated with drafting contracts, including ensuring enforceability making sure compliance with recent legislative changes, and future-proofing.
- Enforceability issues: how to minimize the risk of your contract being found as unenforceable
- Ensuring compliance with both federal and provincial legislation
- Best practices for changing terms of employment
R. Mark Fletcher
Partner
Grosman Gale Fletcher Hopkins LLP -
Case study: Understanding the new reality of pay equity
With the implementation of the Pay Equity Act by the Government of Canada, there is a sense of urgency for employers to adopt a pay equity strategy to close the gender wage gap and help ensure workers receive equal pay for work of equal value. This session will look at how to navigate the multi-step pay equity process with adherence to legislative and compliance obligations.
- An overview of pay equity laws in Canada (existing provincial legislation and new federal legislation)
- A look at the steps to achieving pay equity in your organization
- Working with a pay equity committee to prepare for pay equity
- Taking benefits beyond compliance
Lisa Cabel
National Employment & Labour Lead
KPMG in CanadaWendy Glaser
Director of Pay Equity
KPMG -
Networking and coffee break: Q&A ‘Ask the Experts’ breakout
Have a question or comment for our panel of employment law experts? Join this short Q&A session to hear the answers to your most important HR and employment law queries.
Lisa Cabel
National Employment & Labour Lead
KPMG in CanadaMathias Link
Partner
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLPWendy Glaser
Director of Pay Equity
KPMGHendrik Niuewland
Partner
Shields O’Donnell Mackillop LLP -
Case study: Accommodation in the workplace – Understanding employer obligations when dealing with physical and mental health issues
With levels of absenteeism and long term leave higher than ever, employers need to stay on top of their legal responsibilities and duty to accommodate. This session will look at employers’ legal obligations, and how they can support employees while still meeting the needs of the business.
- Understanding your duty to inquire when addressing health issues
- Managing accommodation requirements for return to work from non work-related disability leave
- An overview of accommodation requirements under human rights law
Rachel Turnpenney
Partner
Turnpenney Milne LLP -
Case study: Integrating AI in your business – increasing productivity while managing potential risks
AI is steadily gaining ground across multiple industries, offering an unprecedented boost to productivity, but not without a cost in terms of legal risks, including human rights violations, privacy concerns and job redundancies. This session will examine the potential of AI in the workplace as well as the possible risks, and how to mitigate them to protect your business.
- An overview of the benefits of AI in HR
- Understanding the legal risks associated with AI in HR
- Ensuring human review of data to minimize potential discriminatory outcomes
- Implementing policies surrounding AI use to avoid data breaches
Laura Blumenfeld
Partner
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP -
Lunch break
-
Case study: Privacy and employment law in Ontario – An overview of employee rights and employer obligations
Workplace privacy is an increasingly complex subject, and employers need to be aware of the limitations of workplace surveillance in this increasingly grey area. This session will look at how employers can balance employees’ right to privacy with legitimate business needs.
- Maintaining privacy during workplace investigations to protect the parties involved while still gathering the necessary information
- Analyzing organizational needs and limiting surveillance to necessary and reasonable bounds
- Assessing the impact of Bill 88 over the past year; Is there likely to be further legislation?
Chris Foulon
Partner
Israel Foulon Wong LLP -
Panel: Understanding the legal implications of mental wellbeing in the workplace
Mental health is an increasingly important subject within the workplace and is having a huge impact on employee engagement and disability claims. This panel will look at how employers can offset this issue by addressing problems before they become critical, leading to downtime, disability, and a loss of talent
- Addressing disputes, bullying, and workplace trauma before they become a problem
- Identifying ways to reduce absenteeism and dismissals caused by stress
- Guidelines for managing mental health in the workplace from a legal perspective
Moderator
Lisa Goodfellow
Partner, Leader, Labour & Employment
Miller Thomson LLPPanelists
Mathias Link
Partner
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLPLorenzo Lisi
Partner
Aird & Berlis LLPStephanie Weschler
Partner
Stikeman Elliot LLP -
Closing remarks
VIRTUAL PLATFORM
What makes this virtual event so innovative?
Using cutting-edge technology to provide a cloud-based virtual forum, this innovative event allows attendees all over the country to connect by signing in from their office, home, mobile phone, tablet or computer.
This virtual destination is the perfect platform for bringing the industry together. Step into the virtual expo to visit booths, arrange one-to-one chats, gain or distribute brand awareness and leverage new connections in a timely and exciting way.
Much like an in-person conference, a virtual conference is an online event that brings together top industry experts and industry peers on a single day. It also enables you to:
-
Connect with a wider audience
-
Engage with our speakers in a live Q&A
-
Connect with industry leaders dedicated through 121 live chats
-
Thought-provoking topics
-
Build your contact base and easily share details
-
Access sessions after the event, On-demand
-
Visit booths in the partner lounges area
-
Gain critical industry insights
-
Accessible web, mobile, live and on demand
THANKS FOR TAKING PART IN EMPLOYMENT LAW MASTERCLASS TORONTO 2023
Missed this year’s event? Register your interest to participate in the next Employment Law Masterclass Toronto