Events

We will cover new cases related to coercive control, the indirect impact of family violence on children, and different types of "safe" parenting orders issued in the context of family violence.

Registration is open until noon of the Thursday before the Online Land Registration Act training program commences. The cost for this program is $650 plus HST. Registrants have the first two weeks to review the materials and the final week to complete the assessment.

Lancaster’s Annual Human Rights Update returns to bring you the latest cases and updates on Canadian human rights law.

Canadian pension and benefit plans are facing a pivotal moment, where shifting caselaw, evolving regulations, and new legislative developments are redefining what it means to manage risk, ensure compliance, and protect members.

This program brings together leading practitioners to unpack the latest developments in employment and labour law.

Registration is open until noon of the Thursday before the Online Land Registration Act training program commences. Members can register via the NSBS Member Portal (go to nsbs.org and click on the “Member Sign In” link in the top right corner) under the Events tab. Cost for this program is $650 plus HST. Registrants have the first two weeks to review the materials and the final week to complete the assessment. Lawyers participating in this program MUST have a working knowledge of property law. The review materials provided are not meant to teach the principles of property law but to assist you in reviewing for the assessment. Additional information can be found on the NSBS website here: https://nsbs.org/legal-profession/your-practice/membership/online-lra/ Questions regarding registration? Contact the Education & Credentials department at licensing@nsbs.org.

Sexual harassment and sexual violence allegations raise complex legal, human rights, and workplace challenges for both employers and unions. This webinar provides a practical examination of the duties that arise when concerns are raised, from receiving a complaint through investigation, resolution, and workplace restoration. Specifically, the panel will address: What duties do employers have when sexual harassment or sexual violence is alleged? What is the role of a union in a sexual harassment investigation? What should unions do when both the complainant and the respondent are bargaining unit members? What lessons can be learned from recent caselaw as to what constitutes a fair and adequate investigation process? Is a formal investigation always required when an employee raises sexual harassment concerns? What guidance do courts and human rights tribunals provide? When might other options, such as alternative dispute resolution, be permissible or preferable? What must be done to ensure that workplace violence and harassment policies are effectively drafted, implemented, reviewed, and improved? How can employers and union representatives ensure that they are responding to a sexual harassment complaint in a ‘trauma informed’ way and process? What are the most common mistakes made when responding to sexual harassment complaints, and how can these missteps be prevented or corrected those missteps? How do such matters as seniority, job security, or immigration status, affect reporting and outcomes, and what concrete steps can workplaces take to address these realities? What can the union and employer do to restore a safe and healthy workplace for all parties following allegations and investigations? Looking ahead, what legal, cultural, or workplace trends will shape how sexual harassment and sexual violence are addressed in Canadian workplaces?

A treasured way to bring loved ones together and forget about everyday hassles, cottages and recreational properties often hold significant sentimental value for families. Proper succession planning for these assets requires knowledge of property, tax and estate law, but also practical client counselling skills. This program, with experienced estates lawyer Peter Lillico, will provide a real-world guide to the challenges and solutions available to successfully keep a cottage or recreational property in the family and prevent unnecessary disputes. The presentation will attempt to answer the question, what does a lawyer need to know about cottage/recreational property succession planning in order to appropriately advise clients and avoid future negligence claims? Topics will include succession planning issues; capital gains tax planning considerations, including maximizing the principal residence exemption; succession timing alternatives; post-succession protections; and, cottage sharing agreements. Along the way, Peter will address the importance of being realistic, the hard questions that needs to be asked about family members’ expectations and finances, and what-if scenarios that, without proper planning, can lead to litigation. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn how you can help your clients navigate the cottage succession planning process and create an estate plan that successfully transitions a cherished retreat to the next generation, despite the financial hurdles and inevitable family conflicts. Live webinar with chat includes 60 day replay. This program features real-time video of the presenter with synchronized presentation slides, and a chat feature that allows for live Q & A.

In this webinar, attendees will examine guiding legal principles and best practices during the pre-hearing stage. Specifically, speakers will address the following questions: How should parties assess the merits of a case and determine whether arbitration is appropriate or a settlement is feasible? When will mediation be indicated? What procedural and fundamental objections are commonly raised at arbitration (g. failing to follow the grievance procedure, disclosure of documents, arbitrator bias, etc.)? When early should these objections be raised? What types of documents are protected by solicitor-client privilege, labour relations privilege, or privacy laws? What mistakes should be avoided when drafting particulars? What information is the other side entitled to? What factors should parties take into account when choosing between virtual and in-person hearing formats if a choice is available? How early should parties begin preparing for hearings? When will using generative artificial intelligence (“AI”) be of assistance during the pre-hearing stage? What are frequent reasons for delays during the pre-hearing stage and how can parties avoid them? What types of behaviour leading to delay would be considered an abuse of process? What remedies are possible?

As the world becomes more interconnected through technology, understanding the legal implications of remote and cross-border work is essential. During this webinar, speakers will address the difficulties of drafting employment contracts for remote workers across multiple jurisdictions and equip attendees with the knowledge to create employment contracts that are compliant and effective. Specifically, speakers will discuss: How can one determine which set of legislated employment standards applies to a remote employee? Is the location where an employee works remotely the determining factor? Can a clause designating the location where the remote employee works be included in an employment contract? How can you ensure that remote work contracts comply with employment standards legislation? Should employment contracts be tailored to specific jurisdictions or are general contracts acceptable? When will “choice of law” or “choice of forum” clauses be found to be enforceable? Not enforceable? Is a non-competition clause enforceable in cases involving an employee working remotely? Does the analysis differ for non-solicitation clauses? Do employees working remotely have a right to know if and how their employer utilizes monitoring and surveillance technologies to monitor performance? Should the potential monitoring and surveillance of employees be mentioned in an employment contract? How can an employer ensure that its activities are compliant with privacy legislation? Are employers required to ensure the health and safety of workers employed remotely? What aspects of health and safety in a remote work environment should be specifically addressed in employment contracts or workplace policies? Will an employer mandated ordering an employee’s return to the office be considered constructive dismissal?

Are you familiar with estate freezes but looking for a clearer understanding of how they work in practice? In this beginner-level seminar, noted trust and estate practitioner and CPA Jos Herman will outline the what, when, why and how of this important estate planning strategy – and why you should care. In basic terms and using simple fact scenarios, Jos will outline how estate freezes are used, when it’s appropriate to use an estate freeze, the different forms an estate freeze can take, and the challenges involved in planning and implementing an estate freeze. Finally, Jos will share important considerations for once an estate freeze is in place. Along the way she’ll share personal experiences and insights for dealing with family conflicts. Topics include: Using estate freezes for business succession planning and tax savings Avoiding common pitfalls Opportunities to drive more tax efficiency Whether you're a general practitioner, estate planner or family lawyer, understanding this key wealth-transfer strategy will add value to your practice and enhance the advice you give to clients. Join us to learn how this powerful tool can help protect family wealth, minimize taxes, and plan for future generations. Don’t miss out! Live webinar with chat includes 60 day replay. This program features real-time video of the presenter with synchronized presentation slides, and a chat feature that allows for live Q & A.

Registration is open until noon of the Thursday before the Online Land Registration Act training program commences. Members can register via the NSBS Member Portal (go to nsbs.org and click on the “Member Sign In” link in the top right corner) under the Events tab. Cost for this program is $650 plus HST. Registrants have the first two weeks to review the materials and the final week to complete the assessment. Lawyers participating in this program MUST have a working knowledge of property law. The review materials provided are not meant to teach the principles of property law but to assist you in reviewing for the assessment. Additional information can be found on the NSBS website here: https://nsbs.org/legal-profession/your-practice/membership/online-lra/ Questions regarding registration? Contact the Education & Credentials department at licensing@nsbs.org.