Human Rights in Ontario: What's Ahead?

Seminar Summary

Since the 2008 creation of a direct-access human rights system in Ontario, employers have faced increased numbers of applications and have been concerned about mounting damage awards and the lack of screening.

In August 2011, the McGuinty government appointed an independent review process to assess the changes to the system and make recommendations. Those recommendations for improvement could have significant implications for Ontario employers. Join us for a discussion on the future of Ontario's human rights system, as well as an update on major case law developments, emerging issues regarding disability and family status discrimination, what you can expect from a procedural standpoint from the Tribunal and whether the recent changes involving summary hearings are benefiting employers.

• Leading cases
• Evolving grounds of discrimination, including family status discrimination and disability update
• Damage awards: Identifying trends and the kinds of situations that will attract significant liability
• Process update: What you can expect in complaint processing times, timing of mediation and hearing dates
• The government-appointed independent review of the system: Status and implications for employers
• Summary hearings update: Is the new procedure benefi ting employers?