Pension Benefits Do Not Replace Wages Owed, Supreme Court Rules
An employee’s pension payments should not be deducted from damages otherwise payable for wrongful dismissal, the Supreme Court ruled recently. Pension benefits are not intended to indemnify wage loss due to unemployment, but rather are a form of deferred compensation for service and constitute a type of retirement savings. In a decision released earlier this month, IBM Canada Limited v. Waterman, the employee Waterman had been dismissed without cause after 42 years of service. IBM offered only 2 months pay in lieu of notice, leading Mr. Waterman to sue for wrongful dismissal. The trial judge awarded 20 months notice, and ... [more] Full article
Six months’ severance is six months’ severance! Dismissed employee awarded full contractual severance, despite new job
In its decision released on June 21, 2012 in Bowes v. Goss Power Products Ltd., 2012 ONCA 425, the Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed that where an employer has agreed to continue paying salary to a dismissed employee for a fixed period in a written employment agreement, that is the obligation and it will be enforced. [more] Full article
Reasonable notice periods still not “one size fits all”
You know that “rule of thumb” of one month notice for each year of employment? The one we use as a rough guideline for getting in the ballpark when determining a reasonable notice periods? The Court of Appeal has reminded us that the “rule of thumb” may not even get you near the ballpark when dealing with senior, high salaried employees. [more] Full article
Business judgment rule does not trump unanimous shareholders’ agreement
Directors of a corporation cannot invoke the business judgment rule to justify decisions that violate a unanimous shareholders’ agreement, the Ontario Divisional Court held recently. [more] Full article
Wrongful Dismissal Contributors
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.
