Register toll-free 1-800-665-4411
In Winnipeg 204-956-0800

The 2019 Accommodation Law Conference (Winnipeg)

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

Winnipeg
The Fairmont Winnipeg
April 2 & 3, 2019

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Attend this state-of-the-law conference and stay on top of the latest legal breakthroughs in the duty to accommodate and their impact on unionized workplaces in Canada.

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This conference offers Manitoba lawyers a total of 11.25 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

This conference has been approved for 12 CPHR Continuing Professional Development Hours by CPHR Manitoba.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 2

Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.

MORNING SESSION – 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Cindy Lazar and Fred Thiessen

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

AFTERNOON SESSION – 1:15 to 4:30 p.m.
Tracey Epp and Keith LaBossiere

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
An update on remedy awards in accommodation cases and a review of decisions were damages have ranged widely in the past year from nominal to significant. 

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
A review of recent cases that affirm the need for patience, compassion and flexibility when accommodating addicted employees, and specific strategies for accommodating addicted employees.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

MORNING SESSION – 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Shandra Czarnecki and Bill Sumerlus

The Legal Duties on Employees and Their Unions When Seeking Accommodation
A review of cases where employees and their unions have fallen short in their obligations to cooperate and facilitate when seeking accommodation for reasons that include addictions, employee delays and mixed culpability.

Medical Information Needed to Support an Accommodation Claim
What arbitrators say about the medical information that is necessary to substantiate physical and psychological accommodation claims including when specialists are justified, when requests for medical information go too far and the impact of delays.

Scheduling Accommodation
Recent cases where work scheduling has been at issue in accommodation cases involving family status, religious beliefs and disability limitations.  Scheduling issues include flexible work, night shifts, reduced hours, leaves of absences, vacation time and sick time.

Ten Winning Accommodation Strategies
Case-tested ways unions and employers can streamline the accommodation process and achieve successful accommodation outcomes.   

AFTERNOON SESSION – 1:15 to 3:00 p.m.
Grant Mitchell (Chair), Kathy McIlroy and David Simpson

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

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PRESENTERS

Shandra Czarnecki
Employer Counsel
MLT Aikins LLP
Winnipeg

Tracey Epp
Employer Counsel
Pitblado Law
Winnipeg

Keith LaBossiere
Labour Law Counsel
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman
Winnipeg

Cynthia Lazar
Employer Counsel
Taylor McCaffrey LLP
Winnipeg

Kathy McIlroy
Union Counsel 
Winnipeg

Grant Mitchell, Q.C. 
Labour Arbitrator and Mediator
Winnipeg

David Simpson
Employer Counsel
Fillmore Riley
Winnipeg

William Sumerlus
Union Counsel
Operating Engineers of Manitoba, Local 987
Winnipeg

Fred Thiessen
Union Counsel
Tapper Cuddy LLP
Winnipeg

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HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

A special guestroom rate of $189 (single/double plus applicable taxes) has been arranged for registrants at the Fairmont Winnipeg, 2 Lombard Place, located at Portage & Main in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. 

Phone hotel reservation directly at (204) 957-1350 and ask for the group rate for "The Accommodation Law Conference" (Block Code "THEA0419"). Reserve early as availability is limited.

The Fairmont Winnipeg is a unionized hotel.

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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 $39.75 GST = $834.75) 
Group (3+ each): $745 (plus $37.25 GST = $782.25) 
Super Group (7+ each): $695 (plus $34.75 GST = $729.75) 

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 March 26 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.