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Independent Contractors Canada Employment Litigation

Independent contractors are individuals or entities that perform work for other individuals or entities, but are not employees of those individuals or entities. Whether a worker is an employee or an independent... more +
Independent contractors are individuals or entities that perform work for other individuals or entities, but are not employees of those individuals or entities. Whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor is not always an easy determination. However, due to differences in tax and liability treatment, misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor can have serious consequences. Autonomy is the defining feature of independent contractor arrangements. Independent contractors control the manner and method of how work is performed while payers control the desired result. Control over schedule and number of hours worked, ownership of equipment or tools, permanency of relationship, and acceptance of jobs from multiple entities are all possible factors in determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor.   less -
Bennett Jones LLP

No Common Employer Means No Class Action—Ontario Court of Appeal

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The Ontario Court of Appeal has concluded that a client's influence over a service provider's processes does not establish an employment relationship between the client and the service provider's employees. The plaintiffs in...more

Stikeman Elliott LLP

Meal Delivery Service’s Mandatory Arbitration Clause for Couriers Unconscionable: Manitoba Court of Appeal

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The Manitoba Court of Appeal (the “Court”) in Pokornik v. SkipTheDishes Restaurant Services Inc., 2024 MBCA 3, recently upheld a lower court decision dismissing a large online meal delivery service’s motion to stay a class...more

Littler

Ontario, Canada Appeal Court Finds Independent Contractors Have Duty to Mitigate Damages When Fixed-Term Contract is Terminated...

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In Monterosso v. Metro Freightliner Hamilton Inc., 2023 ONCA 413, the Ontario Court of Appeal (OCA) found that independent contractors have a duty to mitigate their damages upon the early termination of a fixed-term agreement...more

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Defining the Relationship: Independent Contractor or Employee?

Organizations commonly face the question of whether a relationship with a worker should be characterized as a contractor or employment relationship. Each characterization offers different benefits and creates different...more

Littler

Alberta, Canada: Court Uses Oppression Remedy to Hold Corporate Directors Personally Liable for Wrongful Dismissal Damages

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In Wisser v CEM International Management Consultants Ltd, 2022 ABQB 414 (CEM International), the court used the oppression remedy to hold directors of a corporation personally liable for damages for wrongful dismissal after...more

Stikeman Elliott LLP

Ontario Superior Court Reviews the Factors Applied in Determining Independent / Dependant Contractor Status

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The rise of "gig" workers (i.e. independent workers paid by task or project) has, in recent years, drawn attention to the issue of the classification of workers as "employees", "independent contractors", or "dependent...more

Stikeman Elliott LLP

Successful Dismissal for Delay Under the Class Proceedings Act: Ontario Court Examines New Automatic Dismissal Provision

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In Bourque v Insight Productions, 2022 ONSC 174, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the “Court”) dismissed a proposed class proceeding for delay. The decision is noteworthy as it’s the first reported decision that...more

Bennett Jones LLP

Proposed Sweeping Changes to Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act

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Bill 47: Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act, 2020 was introduced in the Alberta Legislature on November 5, 2020, and, if passed, will come into force on September 1, 2021. Among other things, Bill 47 comprehensively...more

Littler

Ontario, Canada: Calculation of Reasonable Notice Period When a Contractor Becomes an Employee

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Cormier v. 1772887 Ontario Limited (St. Joseph Communications) (“St. Joseph”), 2019 ONCA 965, is an appeal from a summary judgment motion arising from the wrongful dismissal claim of a contractor who worked for St. Joseph for...more

Littler

Highest Court in Canada Says Substance, not Form, will Determine Independent Contractor or Employee Status

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A recent Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decision considered whether a franchisee who entered into a franchise agreement with a franchisor was an employee or an independent contractor. The fact-specific case, Modern Cleaning...more

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