Register toll-free 1-800-665-4411

The 2020 Accommodation Law Conference (Ottawa)

New legal breakthroughs in the duty to accommodate and their impact on union and employer representatives in Canada

Ottawa
Infinity Convention Centre
April 21 & 22, 2020

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** COVID-19 UPDATE: In response to COVID-19, this conference will not be proceeding in the interests of public safety. Instead, we will be offering our customers a series of webinars based on topics covered in this conference that you will be able to enjoy online, in the safety and comfort of your home or office. Stay tuned for more updates on this site **

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Attend this state-of-the-law conference and catch up on the year's top legal developments in the duty to accommodate and their impact on unions and unionized employers

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LAWYERS: This conference consists of 11.25 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits and can be applied towards 9 of the 12 hours of annual CPD required by the Law Society of Upper Canada (not the New Member Requirement).  

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TUESDAY, APRIL 21

Registration: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

MORNING SESSION (8:30 – 12:00)
Andrew Astritis and Kecia Podetz

The Year's Top Accommodation Cases
A review of important new accommodation cases in Canada and their impact on unions and employers. 

AFTERNOON SESSION (1:15 – 4:30)
Raquel Chisholm and Sean McGee

Update on Accommodating Family Status
While there is still no national consensus on the test for family status, recent cases update the law on such issues as work scheduling, work assignments and granting time off. 

Update on Accommodation Remedies
How arbitrators, tribunals and the courts continue to award significant damage awards and other remedies in accommodation cases.

Update on Accommodating Mental Disabilities
New cases on accommodating mental disabilities and successful strategies for handling challenging mental health accommodations.

Update on Accommodating Substance Addiction
New cases on the challenges of accommodating employees with drug and alcohol addictions.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

MORNING SESSION (8:30 – 12:00)
Paul Champ and Meg Steele

Handling Medical Information in Accommodation Cases: A Checklist for Unions and Employers
Steps for employers and unions to follow when medical information is required in support of an employee's accommodation claim, from the first day of absence to a full return to work.

When Seniority Rights Collide with the Duty to Accommodate
How to strike a balance between the rights of an accommodated employee and the seniority rights of co-workers in the context of vacancies, bumping, layoff, and displacement of incumbents.

Accommodating Religion: New Cases and New Insights for Unions and Employers
New cases shed light on the duty to accommodate an employee's religion, including accommodating requests for alternative dress, shift changes, breaks and holidays.

Pay and Benefit Entitlements for Accommodated Employees
Calculation of pay, service and seniority-related benefits for employees during temporary and permanent accommodations.

AFTERNOON SESSION (1:15 – 3:00)
Arbitrator: Andrew Tremayne
Counsel: Peter Engelmann and Craig Stehr

Accommodation Allowed...or Denied? 
A labour arbitrator offers instant rulings on accommodation grievances presented by union and management counsel.  

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PRESENTERS

Andrew Astritis
Union Counsel
Raven, Cameron, Ballantyne & Yazbeck
Ottawa

Paul Champ
Union Counsel
Champ & Associates
Ottawa

Raquel Chisholm
Employer Counsel
Emond Harnden
Ottawa

Peter Engelmann
Union Counsel
Goldblatt Partners LLP
Ottawa

Sean McGee
Union Counsel
Raven, Cameron, Ballantyne & Yazbeck
Ottawa

Kecia Podetz
Employer Counsel
Emond Harnden
Ottawa

Margaret-Marie (Meg) Steele
Senior Legal Counsel
City of Ottawa
Ottawa

Craig Stehr
Employer Counsel
Gowling WLG
Ottawa

Andrew Tremayne
Labour Arbitrator, Mediator
and Independent Investigator
Ottawa

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HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

The seminar location is Infinity Convention Centre, 2901 Gibford Drive in Ottawa.

There will be lots of FREE PARKING.

Special guestroom rates have been arranged for registrants at two hotels within walking distance of the conference venue, The Infinity Convention Centre.  Book early as availability is limited. 

Homewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa Airport, 3605 Paul Anka Drive.  Special rates start at $169.  Call reservations at (613) 422-3678 and ask for the group rate for the Accommodation Law Conference, Block Code "ALC."  

Holiday Inn Express Ottawa Airport, 2881 Gibford Drive.  Special rates start at $154.  Call reservations at (613) 247-9500 and ask for the group rate for the Accommodation Law Conference, Block Code "ALC." 

Both hotels offer free parking, free hot breakfasts and free airport shuttles. 

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TUITION

Includes two-day program, conference binder, Certificate of Attendance, continental breakfast and refreshments.

Accommodations and other meals are not included.

Individual: $795 (plus $103.35 HST = $898.35) 
Group (3+ each): $745 (plus $96.85 HST = $841.85) 
Super Group (7+ each): $695 (plus $90.35 HST = $785.35)

To qualify for group rates, individuals must be from the same organization, or union local, AND register together at the same time.

Individuals registering separately will not qualify for group rates.

CANCELLATIONS must be in writing and received by April 14 in order to qualify for a full refund less a $50 administration fee. Non-compliance will result in liability for the entire tuition.

SUBSTITUTIONS may be made at any time.