2011

November 2, 2011

A Human Rights Perspective on the “Hybrid Approach”

In late 2002, a reconsideration panel of the Labour Relations Board of B.C. adopted a “hybrid approach” to the class of addiction-related misconduct cases which conceptually blurs what had been the traditional distinction between culpable and non-culpable conduct. The Board ruled that there should be a blend of both culpable and non-culpable responses, and that arbitrators should concentrate on the viability of the employment relationship having regard to all the circumstances. It viewed this approach as offering arbitrators more flexibility in fashioning an appropriate remedy.

Our panel of Guest Speakers to address this topic will be:

Heather MacNaughton, former Chair of the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, who will moderate the panel and present her views about the jurisprudential viability of the hybrid approach;
Sharon Kearney, former Vice Chair of the Labour Relations Board, who will address the Board’s policy considerations;
Enid Marion, a Vice Chair at the Human Rights Tribunal, who will discuss the Tribunal’s experience;
Mike Wagner, Managing Partner at Roper Greyell, who will offer the employer perspective; and
Catherine Sullivan, Coordinator for the Advocacy Department at the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union, who will offer the union/employee perspective.

The presentation will take the form of mock “hearings” before the “Human Rights Tribunal” and at a “labour arbitration”. The facts that will be argued are in the attached scenario.

We’ll also be holding elections for positions on the Executive Board. As an added incentive to come out for this event, we will be holding a draw for all of those who register and attend the talk on November 2 for two tickets to the Canucks game on December 6, 2011.

VENUE CHANGE: The Plaza 500 is undergoing renovations, so this meeting will take place on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011 at the HOLIDAY INN (711 West Broadway at Heather St.). A no host bar opens at 5pm with dinner at 6:30pm. To guarantee that sufficient food and seating will be available, please make your reservation by October 26, 2011.

This dinner meeting is eligible for 1 hour of Continuing Professional Development credits from the Law Society of BC.

September 13, 2011

Debating The Future of Pensions

Our panel of pension experts will discuss the controversy surrounding pension obligations and the enforcement of pension entitlements. What is the future of CPP and will it affect pension entitlements in other sectors?

Scott Sweatman, a partner and co-founder of Spectrum HR Law LLP in both Calgary and Vancouver, currently serves on the Alberta and British Columbia joint Advisory Group established to help implement new pension standards and legislation. He will present the employers view on pension standard recommendations and what it means to employers and employees.

Brendan Dick serves on the public sector/legal legislative committee of the International Foundation of Employee Benefits, as well as being the Chair of the Municipal Pension Board of Trustees. He is a Director of Pensions and Benefits with the Hospital Employees Union and will provide his point of view, from the Union side.

VENUE CHANGE: The Plaza 500 is undergoing renovations, so this meeting will take place on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 at the HOLIDAY INN (711 West Broadway at Heather Street). A no host bar opens at 5pm with dinner at 6:30pm. To guarantee that sufficient food and seating will be available, please make your reservation by September 7, 2011. This dinner meeting is eligible for 1 hour of Continuing Professional Development credits from the Law Society of BC.