Charter Rights in the Workplace

April 20, 2023 at
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM PST
Maritime Labour Centre 111 Victoria Drive Vancouver, BC V5L 4C4

IN PERSON at the Maritime Labour Centre | Lunch will be provided

In recent years, the Supreme Court of Canada, and some lower courts, have confirmed important rights for Canadian unions and their members. Significantly, these include Freedom of Expression (picketing, leafletting, protest, privacy rights) and Freedom of Association (the right to organize, bargain and strike). Decisions regarding Bill 29 in the health care sector, the Harper government’s back-to-work order against postal workers and the BC Teachers’ Federation win over the right to negotiate class size and composition, all combine to establish these Charter Rights. The implications of these decisions reach into every workplace, both in the public and private sector. This course provides an overview of Charter Rights, key decisions for union, and how these cases can be used to advance our collective interests.

Facilitator: Craig Bavis, Victory Square Law Office LLP
Craig Bavis was called to the bar in 2000 and became a partner in 2005. Craig has extensive experience in advising and representing unions in mediation, arbitrations, and at Labour Board hearings. He has appeared in all levels of court up to the BC Court of Appeal and Federal Court of Appeal. Craig primarily represents unions in the public and private sector across BC in labour matters and also works in Saskatchewan where he is involved in Charter litigation.