
McLennan Ross is a leader in western and northern Canada in labour and employment law, with a reputation built on many decades of experience for cost-effective, timely and efficient service.
We believe in operating as partners with our clients. Whatever the venue, whatever the concern, our job is to help you achieve your business objectives by effectively dealing with one of your most important assets - your people. We view our responsibility as seriously as you view the work of your organization.
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Our services in labour and employment law include:
- Strategic planning and corporate structuring
- Collective bargaining
- Collective agreement arbitration
- Interest arbitration
- Mediation
- Labour relations board litigation
- Privacy
- Judicial review of administrative decisions
- Human rights
- Occupational health and safety
- Harassment and other workplace investigations
- Pensions
- Workers’ compensation disputes
- Employee training
- Employment law litigation such as wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal action
- Immigration, including LMOs and temporary foreign worker permits
Among the many benefits our clients have noted from working with McLennan Ross are:
- Credibility from being represented by a firm with positive relationships and a good reputation with labour and employment tribunals
- Creative advice on how to operate in Alberta and the North based on our insights into the people, industries and issues involved in labour and employment law in the region
- Aggressive advocacy where needed
- Cost-effective service from a team that includes the most senior and respected labour and employment lawyers in our communities, as well as specialized and economical junior lawyers and specialized employment paralegal staff
- Specialist advice and assistance on visa, immigration and border issues and challenges
- Insight into the unions and personalities in the industries we represent and the ability to achieve client objectives because of our relationships
- Ability to receive quick and practical advice immediately as labour and employment issues arise, rather than having to wait for questions to be researched
Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers
The McLennan Ross labour and employment team was instrumental in founding the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE). CACE is an association of management-side labour and employment lawyers across Canada. CACE promotes excellence in the specialized field of labour and employment law, and engages in legislation and law reform activities at the provincial and federal level. Created in 2004, CACE now has over 800 members, including most of the leading labour and employment counsel in the country. Find out more about CACE at: www.counseltoemployers.ca
Advocates for Employers of Canada
McLennan Ross is a founding member of Advocates for Employers of Canada (AEC). AEC is a nation-wide alliance forged between six of Canada’s pre-eminent management-side labour and employment law practices. From coast-to-coast, AEC advocates for employers in every sector of the economy. We offer streamlined, cross-jurisdictional legal services, through a single point of contact. No matter where you do business, AEC’s nation-wide network of top-ranked legal professionals provide practical and proactive legal advice on any challenge facing your workplace. Click here to find out more.
EDMONTON Maurice Dransfeld |
780.482.9223 | mdransfeld@mross.com |
CALGARY Tom Ross, Q.C. |
403.303.9124 | tross@mross.com |
YELLOWKNIFE Michelle Thériault |
867.766.7684 | mtheriault@mross.com |
- Represented the provincial Government of Alberta in all labour relations board and Court proceedings relating to a five-day illegal strike by correctional officers
- Represented a client at the Supreme Court of Canada in an important case concerning construction industry hiring halls, which made new law concerning judicial review of labour arbitration decisions
- Intervened on behalf of the Province of Alberta at the Supreme Court of Canada in a labour relations case concerning the exclusive jurisdiction of arbitrators
- Provided advice to all three levels of government with respect to revisions to labour legislation
- Provided advice to all three levels of government with respect to unlawful public sector strikes
- Negotiated collective agreements for municipal, provincial, and territorial governments
- Assisted numerous clients to successfully avoid a certification application through a comprehensive communications strategy
- Successfully represented several clients in several claims for damages for illegal strikes including one which led to a million dollar settlement
- Intervened on behalf of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers in the Supreme Court of Canada in an important case concerning the right of an employee to refuse to disclose her home address and phone number to her trade union
- Provided comprehensive union avoidance training to supervisory personnel of numerous major employers
- Litigated and subsequently resolved several contentious fiduciary duty disputes
- Provided advice on the creation of a new industry-wide drug and alcohol policy for the construction industry and provided ongoing advice to numerous employers on the day-to-day operation of their drug/alcohol testing programs
- Assisted several major retailers in respect of strike and picketing issues including litigation
- Defended numerous human rights complaints involving disability discrimination and drug testing
- Successfully defended a human rights complaint which raised "poisoned work environment" allegations
- Conducted extensive workplace investigation into allegations of sexual harassment in a northern workplace
- Negotiated collective agreements for provincial and territorial governments as well as clients in various industries
- Represented employers in hundreds of grievance arbitrations in Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and acted as employer nominee in hundreds of arbitrations
- Advised several owners and contractors in respect to labour relations strategies related to oil sands projects
- Conducted dozens of judicial review applications arising out of Labour Relations Board hearings
- Defended numerous wrongful dismissal lawsuits including those involving difficult sexual harassment issues
- Conducted harassment investigations and presented harassment seminars for a variety of employers
- Successfully litigated a federal/provincial constitutional issue for a major national company
- Represented employers numerous times before the appeals commission under the workers’ compensation legislation in Alberta and the Northwest Territories
- Presented supervisory training courses for utility, municipal, and other public sector employers
Jan 14, 2021
The Legality of Employers' Mandatory COVID Testing
Dec 22, 2020
Labour Update: Breach of COVID-19 Guidelines Leads to Just Cause Dismissal
Dec 09, 2020
New COVID-19 Restrictions Imposed in Alberta
Nov 25, 2020
A Second State of Public of Health Emergency Declared in Alberta
Nov 13, 2020
Updated COVID Restriction Measures
Oct 13, 2020
How to Value Bonus Payments and Other Benefits in Termination Damages
Sep 15, 2020
Restrictive Covenants in the Commercial Context
Aug 06, 2020
Employers Beware: The Implications of the Waksdale Decision on Termination Clauses
Jul 07, 2020
Changes to the Labour Relations Code ("LRC")
Jul 07, 2020
Changes to the Employment Standards Code ("ESC")
Jul 07, 2020
Alberta Introduces New Labour and Employment Legislation
Jul 02, 2020
Bill 24: COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act Receives Royal Assent
Jul 02, 2020
SCC Case Paves the Way for Determination of Employment Category for Ride Share and Food Delivery Drivers
Jun 23, 2020
Bill 24: COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act
Jun 12, 2020
Alberta Moves to Stage 2 of Relaunch
May 28, 2020
Alberta Moves Forward with Relaunch Efforts
May 25, 2020
ABTraceTogether: Contact Tracing App in the Workplace
May 21, 2020
Employer Use of Remote Monitoring Software on Teleworkers: Management Rights v. Privacy Rights
May 21, 2020
Key Policy and Operational Considerations for Employers Reopening their Doors
May 14, 2020
Alberta Proceeding with Stage One of Relaunch
May 14, 2020
A COVID-19 Reminder: Inappropriate Teacher Social Media Use and OH&S Duties of School Authorities to Prevent Online Harassment
May 01, 2020
Return to Normal: How to Prepare for Resuming Business Operations
Apr 15, 2020
Expansion of the CERB
Apr 14, 2020
CEWS Eligibility: Who Qualifies?
Apr 06, 2020
Changes to Alberta Employment Standards
Apr 02, 2020
Workers' Compensation in Alberta and COVID-19
Apr 02, 2020
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Details
Mar 31, 2020
Update on Essential Services
Mar 30, 2020
COVID-19 Federal Support Update
Mar 26, 2020
Employee Telecommuting During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mar 25, 2020
Answers to Questions Asked During COVID-19 Workplace Readiness and Pandemic Planning Webinar
Mar 25, 2020
Transferring Work and Duties of Union Workers
Mar 25, 2020
Updates from the Federal and Provincial Governments
Mar 24, 2020
COVID-19 and Interprovincial Travel
Mar 23, 2020
COVID-19 Employment Insurance - Making it Work
Mar 20, 2020
What to do When an Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
Mar 20, 2020
Right to Refuse Unsafe Work in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mar 19, 2020
COVID-19 Proper Coding when Issuing an ROE
Mar 19, 2020
COVID-19 – Frequently Asked Questions by Employers in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Mar 19, 2020
COVID-19 Provincial Support Update
Mar 18, 2020
COVID-19 – Family Status Accommodation and Employer Obligations
Mar 18, 2020
Alberta Government Issues Regulation on Employment Leave for COVID-19
Mar 16, 2020
COVID-19 – Frequently Asked Questions by Employers
Mar 09, 2020
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Workplace Pandemic Planning: What Employers Should Do and Know Right Now
Jan 02, 2020
Amendments to the Northwest Territories Employment Standards Act Now in Force
Dec 19, 2019
Supreme Court of Canada Revisits Standard of Review Applicable to Administrative Agencies
Dec 11, 2019
A Cautionary Reminder: The Impact of Employment Standards Orders on Civil Actions
Nov 06, 2019
Alberta Government Introduces Two Budgetary Bills with Sweeping Changes
Nov 06, 2019
Alberta Government Introduces Two Budgetary Bills with Sweeping Changes
Oct 07, 2019
Employees Entitlement to Time Off for Voting this Federal Election
Oct 07, 2019
Employees Entitlement to Time Off for Voting this Federal Election
Oct 04, 2019
Limits on the Duty to Accommodate
Sep 19, 2019
A Reminder to Keep Workers' Compensation Issues with the WCB
Jun 14, 2019
Ruston v Keddco and the Risks of Employee Intimidation
May 29, 2019
Alberta Labour Law Changes Begin
May 28, 2019
Alberta Labour Law Changes Begin
Apr 04, 2019
Can Directors Be Independently Liable For Personal Injuries Incurred In Workplace Accidents?
Mar 14, 2019
Family Status Discrimination – What Types of Obligations have to be Accommodated?
Jan 29, 2019
Building Our Team to Better Support Your Team
Jan 21, 2019
Is It Safe To Give Honest Employment References For Former Employees?
Jan 15, 2019
2019 Brings New Rules for Federally Regulated Employers
Nov 29, 2018
Suncor Finally Proceeds with Random Alcohol and Drug Testing
Oct 25, 2018
New Labour Relations Board Vice-Chair Appointments
Jul 30, 2018
Bill 30 Update: Protecting Workers from Violence and Harassment under Alberta’s New Occupational Health and Safety (“OHS”) Legislation
May 10, 2018
Directed Remedial Certification
May 08, 2018
Is Marijuana Use Safe Or Not? And What If The Answer Is Not Clear?
Apr 10, 2018
PIPEDA Mandatory Breach Notification in Effect November 1, 2018
Feb 09, 2018
Creating a Work Culture Free from Sexual Harassment
Dec 21, 2017
Effective Date of New Employment Standards Code Changes
Dec 21, 2017
Discrimination in the Workplace – Who Can Be Liable?
Dec 18, 2017
Bill 30 Receives Royal Assent
Dec 14, 2017
Key Changes to Employment Standards Regulations
Dec 11, 2017
Second Interim Injunction Granted for Union at Suncor's Mine Site
Nov 10, 2017
Federal Government Announces Changes to EI Legislation
Oct 26, 2017
Employer Liability When Providing Employee References
Oct 20, 2017
Suncor Introduces Random Drug/Alcohol Testing
Oct 03, 2017
Random Testing Gets New Life
Sep 06, 2017
Alberta WCB Review Panel Issues Report and Recommendations
Jun 29, 2017
Court of Appeal Decision Highlights Important Lessons on Settlement Agreements
Jun 23, 2017
Supreme Court of Canada Approves “No Free Accident” Drug and Alcohol Policy
Jun 08, 2017
Legislature Passes New Labour and Employment Legislation
Jun 01, 2017
SCC Rejects Appeal: Confirms Delayed Vesting Effective in Long Term Incentive Plans
May 31, 2017
Update on Changes to Alberta’s Employment Standards and Labour Relations Legislation
May 25, 2017
Why Alberta Unions are Celebrating the Fair and Family-Friendly Workplaces Act
May 24, 2017
Changes to Employment Standards and Labour Relations Legislation
May 17, 2017
CIRB Reaffirms Principles on Essential Services and Employees
Apr 24, 2017
Fixed-Term Contracts: An Employer’s Guide to Avoiding Hidden Traps
Apr 18, 2017
Due Care Required in Manner of Termination
Mar 14, 2017
Government Announces Labour and Employment Law Review
Feb 03, 2017
Another Successful Effort to Confine Employees to Statutory Minimum Termination Notice/Pay
Jan 25, 2017
Why Bother With All These Forms For My Employees?
Jan 25, 2017
Posting Offensive Blog Posts as a Union President: Protected by the Charter?
Jan 20, 2017
Changes Are A-Comin’
Jan 11, 2017
Employment Contracts Can Limit Employees to a Fixed Sum on Termination
Jan 04, 2017
Alberta Court of Appeal Upholds Long Term Incentive Plan Delayed Vesting
Dec 21, 2016
Protecting Against Misuse of Information
Oct 19, 2016
Employees Can Be Limited To Employment Standards Code Minimums
Oct 14, 2016
Be Careful of Fixed Term Employment Agreements
Aug 22, 2016
Bonus Payments – Do they Form Part of a Severance Package?
Jul 28, 2016
Federal Court of Appeal Enforces Four-Point Test for Family Status
Jul 27, 2016
The Hiring Process is Not Finished Until the Paperwork is Done
Jul 18, 2016
Major Blow to Federal Employers’ Right to Terminate Employees
Jun 29, 2016
Flexible Work Arrangement Obligations Coming for Federal Employers
May 24, 2016
Suncor Random Drug Testing Decision Overturned
Apr 28, 2016
Back to Basics: An Employee’s Duty to Mitigate in a Wrongful Dismissal
Apr 22, 2016
Shutting Down Operations In The NWT Or Nunavut?
Apr 11, 2016
Innocent Absenteeism: A Reasonable End to Accommodation
Apr 07, 2016
How to Balance Family Status Accommodation Requests
Mar 18, 2016
Legal Strikes Coming to the Alberta Public Sector
Mar 07, 2016
Severance Strategies in a Slumping Economy
Jan 11, 2016
Workplace Harassment and Workplace Violence Policies in the N.W.T.
Dec 30, 2015
Compassionate Care Leave Changes - What Do They Mean For Employers?
Dec 08, 2015
Assert a Weak Case for 'Just Cause for Termination' at Your Peril!
Dec 03, 2015
Farm and Ranch Workers About to Lose Their Statutory Exemptions
Nov 04, 2015
Substance Use and the Workplace: More Considerations for Employer Accommodation Strategies
Oct 13, 2015
If You've Been Laid Off, What Should You Do?
Oct 06, 2015
Are Your Employees Entitled to Time Off to Vote?
Sep 16, 2015
New Minimum Wage for Alberta Employees on October 1, 2015
Sep 09, 2015
What is Needed for You to Have a "Disability" that is Protected by Human Rights Legislation?
Sep 04, 2015
Considering a BYOD Program?
Aug 26, 2015
Reduce Premiums Through Cost Relief
Aug 04, 2015
Taking to the Skies: The Supreme Court's Decision in Bombardier
Jul 23, 2015
Navigating the Sea of Constructive Dismissal
Jul 07, 2015
Firing for Not Reporting Drug Use is Not a Human Rights Violation
Jul 02, 2015
Union Financial Disclosure Law Passes Senate
Jun 16, 2015
Eye on the Future
May 06, 2015
What Does the Alberta Election Mean for Employers?
May 01, 2015
WCB Taking New View on Modified Work
Apr 30, 2015
Why are my Supervisors in the Union?
Apr 09, 2015
Don't Jump the Gun!
Mar 09, 2015
Supreme Court Rules on Employee Suspensions and Constructive Dismissal
Feb 02, 2015
Supreme Court Constitutionalizes Right to Strike
Jan 27, 2015
Go Directly To Jail. Do Not Pass Go. Pay $250,000.
Jan 16, 2015
Collective Bargaining Rights of RCMP Officers
Jan 16, 2015
NWT Raises Minimum Wage to Highest in Canada
Dec 01, 2014
Court Backs Hard Line on Sexual Harassment
Nov 25, 2014
Scandals Ignite Conversation on Sexual Harassment in Canada
Nov 19, 2014
Bill 3 - Proposed Amendments to PIPA
Nov 06, 2014
Sexual Assault in the Workplace - Radio Interview
Oct 07, 2014
Employer on the Hook for Longer Notice Period Despite Period of Absence and "New" Employment
Jul 23, 2014
NWT Human Rights Commission's Early Resolution Process - Beware!
Mar 28, 2014
Alberta Arbitration Board Rejects Random Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy
Jan 31, 2014
Compassionate Care Leave Now Applies to Alberta
Dec 16, 2013
Receipt of Pension Benefits does not Reduce Damages for Wrongful Dismissal
Oct 28, 2013
Privacy Commissioner Underlines Importance of Workplace Technology Policies
Sep 17, 2013
Restrictive Covenants in a Sale of Business Given Broad Scope
Aug 27, 2013
Pre-Access Testing Rejected in Ontario
Jul 15, 2013
Watch Those Collective Agreement Time Limits!
Jun 28, 2013
New Federal Labour and Human Rights Legislation
Jun 14, 2013
SCC Signals Caution Over Random Testing
Jun 06, 2013
Stress Claims Under Stress
May 23, 2013
B.C. Arbitrator Provides Perspective on Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Policies
Apr 25, 2013
University of Saskatchewan Announces New Labour-Management Relations Certificate Course
Feb 21, 2013
Whistleblower Legislation Places New Obligations on Public Sector Employers
Nov 29, 2012
Suncor's Implementation of Random Testing on Hold
Oct 10, 2012
Labour & Employment Introduction Video
An introductory video to the Labour & Employment practice at McLennan Ross LLP
Jul 20, 2012
D.A.R.R.P.P. Begins
Jun 06, 2012
Did You Commit to More in Your Collective Agreement Than Your Insurance Covers?
May 18, 2012
How Much Federal Work Do You Have To Do To Come Under Federal Labour Jurisdiction?
May 17, 2012
Can an Employer be Forced to Give up Copies of Internal Investigation Reports?
May 09, 2012
Direct Service Providers: A Caution
May 03, 2012
Smile for the Camera!
Apr 23, 2012
“Reasonable Notice” Required Both Ways
Apr 18, 2012
Time Off to Vote
Apr 17, 2012
New Skilled Trades Immigration Stream to be Created
Mar 23, 2012
SCC to Hear Random Alcohol Testing Case
Mar 14, 2012
Insuring Against Disability and Loss of Life After Terminations Without Just Cause
Jan 20, 2012
Court Recognizes Breach of Privacy Tort
Jan 05, 2012
S.C.C. Frees Labour Arbitrators From Strict Legal Rules
Dec 01, 2011
Putting the 'Strict' into Restrictive Covenants
Nov 28, 2011
Justifying Covert Surveillance
Nov 25, 2011
Insurance Company Disability Rulings are not Binding
Oct 18, 2011
Can You Discontinue a Practice That is More Generous Than the Collective Agreement Requires?
Sep 28, 2011
NWT Elections: Time Off to Vote
Aug 29, 2011
Minimum Wage Increases in Alberta
Aug 17, 2011
Court of Appeal Neuters Restrictive Covenants
Aug 09, 2011
A Caution About Exposure to "Reasonable Notice of Termination"
Jul 26, 2011
Should Performance Reviews Be Abolished?
Jul 22, 2011
More Support for Random Testing
Jul 20, 2011
Damages for Loss of Disability Insurance Coverage: A Caution
Jul 11, 2011
Courts Showing Greater Willingness to Strike Down Restrictive Covenants
Jun 30, 2011
An Increase in Class Action Lawsuits Against Employers
Jun 10, 2011
Andy Sims to Receive Bora Laskin Award
Jun 07, 2011
Absenteeism Statistics Stimulate Debate
Jun 03, 2011
Construction Looking Forward 2011-2019
May 05, 2011
Forbidden Images on a Teacher's Laptop - A Lesson Well Learned
May 02, 2011
Supreme Court Narrows the Constitutional Protection of Collective Bargaining
Apr 29, 2011
Employer Generosity Remains Unbinding
Apr 04, 2011
Just How Much Disclosure Can a Union Demand?
Feb 08, 2011
No Just Cause for Discharge. No Reinstatement. What Damages will Arbitrators Award?
Feb 02, 2011
Postal Workers Must Pay for Unlawful Strike
Jan 19, 2011
Who is an Employer Under the Alberta Human Rights Act?
Jan 18, 2011
Court Upholds Random Alcohol Testing Policy
Jan 11, 2011
Summary Trial Before End of Notice Period
Jan 05, 2011
Facebook Postings can Support Just Cause Termination
Sep 30, 2010
Alberta Women Win Case Against CN
Sep 27, 2010
Changes to Drug Testing Thresholds
Sep 15, 2010
The Case of the $2.2-million Severance
Jul 20, 2010
Court of Appeal Gives Some Guidance on the Right to a Union Steward in Disciplinary Interviews
Jul 15, 2010
Employers can't be sued for Negligent Infliction of Mental Distress - At Least for Now
Jul 12, 2010
Supreme Court Decision in Giant Mine
May 28, 2010
New Saskatchewan Construction Laws Proclaimed
May 20, 2010
Saskatchewan Passes Changes to Construction Labour Laws
May 13, 2010
Court of Appeal Criticizes Vague Grievances
May 03, 2010
PIPA Amendments Take Effect
Mar 08, 2010
Employer Ignores Harassment Complaint at its Peril
Feb 26, 2010
Personal Information Protection Act Amendments
Feb 18, 2010
Supreme Court of Canada Giant Mine Decision
Feb 04, 2010
NWT Minimum Wage Increase
Feb 03, 2010
Inappropriate Computer Usage in the Workplace
Feb 01, 2010
Labour Law Central to Constitutional Fight
Jan 06, 2010
Operation Terminate
Jan 05, 2010
Supreme Court Upholds Provincial Powers over Labour Relations