Jo-Anne Pickel

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioNov 21, 2017

Request to amend human rights application denied due to untimeliness; applicant ordered to cease disrespectful language.

The applicant sought to amend his human rights application to add new allegations of sexual harassment and claimed the respondent's counsel intimidated him by using couriers and the word 'served'.

The Tribunal denied the request to amend, finding the new allegations were untimely and would cause significant delay.

The Tribunal also dismissed the intimidation claims, noting the respondent's actions were appropriate, and ordered the applicant to cease using disrespectful language toward the respondent and its counsel.

Gallagher v. OCAD University, 2017 HRTO 1526

Lydia Bay

In Private Practice3 cases2016–2017

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioNov 15, 2017

Hearing adjourned on consent to allow applicant to request amendment of application regarding employment termination.

The applicant sought to file a new application relating to the respondent's termination of his employment.

On consent of the parties, the Tribunal adjourned the scheduled hearing following mediation-adjudication.

The Tribunal directed that the applicant may file a request to amend the current application instead of filing a new one, after which the respondent may respond and potentially request a deferral pending an ongoing grievance.

Ryan Larcher v. District School Board Ontario North East, 2017 HRTO 1493

Lora Castellucci

In Private Practice29 cases2001–2026

Jo-Anne Pickel

Practising Law - Employed13 cases2015–2018

Human rights application deferred pending conclusion of concurrent OLRB proceeding regarding employment termination.

The respondents requested that the Tribunal defer the human rights application pending the outcome of an ongoing Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) proceeding under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The Tribunal found substantial overlap between the facts in the OLRB proceeding and the human rights application, specifically regarding the reasons for the termination of the applicant's employment.

To avoid the risk of inconsistent findings, the Tribunal deferred consideration of the application pending the conclusion of the OLRB proceeding, including any reconsideration or judicial review.

Alicia Allen v. Eamon Park Housing Co-operative Inc. - Board of Directors, 2017 HRTO 1462

Roger Love

Jo-Anne Pickel

Respondent ordered to pay $7,000 settlement plus $5,000 for emotional harm after breaching agreement.

The applicants filed a Contravention of Settlement Application alleging the respondent breached Minutes of Settlement by failing to pay $7,000 in agreed-upon damages.

The respondent did not participate in the proceeding.

The Tribunal found the respondent breached the settlement and ordered him to pay the $7,000 owed, plus an additional $2,500 to each applicant as compensation for the emotional harm and frustration caused by the breach.

Lukey and Pietrzyk v. Rygier, 2017 HRTO 1459

Stephanie Young

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioNov 3, 2017

Tribunal orders production of human resources file and directs applicant to provide pre-hearing disclosure.

The applicant filed Requests for Orders During Proceedings (RFOPs) seeking production of his full human resources file, accommodations for the hearing, and permission to file additional medical evidence.

The Tribunal ordered the respondent to produce the entire human resources file, permitted the applicant to file additional medical evidence, and directed the applicant to provide his pre-hearing disclosure, including witness statements and documents, by a specified deadline.

Gallagher v. OCAD University, 2017 HRTO 1458

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioNov 2, 2017

Third party ordered to produce contact information for a potential witness.

The applicant in a human rights proceeding filed a Request for Order During Proceedings seeking the full name and contact information of a security guard employed by a third party, GardaWorld, whom he wished to call as a witness.

GardaWorld did not respond to the request.

The Tribunal applied the arguable relevance test and ordered GardaWorld to produce the requested information, finding it arguably relevant to the issues in the case.

Solomon Fagan v. Toronto Transit Commission and Wheel-Trans, 2017 HRTO 1448

Human rights application withdrawn with prejudice on the first day of hearing.

The applicant filed a human rights application alleging workplace discrimination, harassment, and failure to accommodate.

On the first day of the scheduled hearing, during a mediation-adjudication session, the applicant requested to withdraw her application.

The Tribunal granted the request to withdraw but, noting the significant public and private resources already expended, ordered that the withdrawal be with prejudice to the applicant's ability to file a new application regarding the same facts.

Ubah Aganeh v. Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office, 2017 HRTO 1437

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioOct 31, 2017

Interim remedy and request to expedite proceedings denied in housing discrimination application.

The applicant filed an application alleging discrimination, harassment, and reprisal based on disability and association with a person identified by a Code ground.

He requested an interim remedy ordering the respondents to provide his requested accommodations, as well as a request to expedite proceedings.

The Tribunal denied the request to expedite and denied the interim remedy, finding it inappropriate to order accommodations before a hearing determines they are required under the Code.

Mills v. Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corporation # 580, 2017 HRTO 1433

Hassan Ahmad

In Private Practice6 cases2015–2022

Jo-Anne Pickel

Not Practising Law - Employed4 cases2016–2017

Request to expedite human rights application regarding driver's license waiting period exemption denied.

The applicant filed an Application alleging discrimination regarding the Ministry of Transportation's policy on exemptions from the one-year waiting period for a driver's license.

The applicant requested to expedite the Application, arguing it would become moot if not heard before the waiting period expired.

The Tribunal denied the request to expedite, noting that the Application would not necessarily become moot under the Tribunal's case law, and offered the parties an expedited mediation.

Alturki v. Ontario (Transportation), 2017 HRTO 1424

Lisa Cabel

18 cases2009–2017

Anna Kalinichenko

Jo-Anne Pickel

Practising Law - Employed30 cases2017–2026

Tribunal grants applicant's request to add supervisor as personal respondent and amend application.

The applicant filed a Request for Order During Proceedings to add her supervisor as a personal respondent, add the ground of reprisal, and amend the remedy sought from $35,000 to $150,000.

The corporate respondent opposed the requests, arguing that it would be deemed liable for the supervisor's actions under s. 46.3(1) of the Human Rights Code.

The Tribunal granted the requests, finding that the supervisor's conduct was a central issue, s. 46.3(1) does not apply to harassment allegations, and the amendments to the grounds and remedies were appropriate at this stage of the proceedings.

Sallam v. Oracle Canada ULC, 2017 HRTO 1421

Adrien Iafrate

Jo-Anne Pickel

Tribunal denies requests to add respondent and anonymize application, but allows adding sex as discrimination ground.

The applicant in a human rights proceeding requested to add Renfrew County Ontario Works as a respondent, add sex as a ground of discrimination, anonymize the application, and requested accommodation.

The Tribunal denied the request to add the respondent because the applicant had already commenced a separate application against them.

The request to add sex as a ground was granted.

The request for anonymization was denied as the applicant did not establish exceptional circumstances outweighing the public interest in open justice.

The accommodation request was deferred pending specific requests.

Shelley Leach v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as represented by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, 2017 HRTO 1420

Jo-Anne Pickel

Practising Law - Employed38 cases2009–2026

Human rights application dismissed as abandoned after applicant failed to respond to Notice of Intent to Dismiss.

The applicant filed a human rights application against the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

The Tribunal issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss (NOID) on the basis that the application appeared to be outside its jurisdiction.

The applicant failed to respond to the NOID by the specified deadline.

Consequently, the Tribunal deemed the application abandoned and dismissed it.

McRae v. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, 2017 HRTO 1413

Yashoda Ranganathan

Stephen Menard

1 case2017–2017

Mikaila Greene

5 cases2016–2017

Jo-Anne Pickel

Motion to add respondents and request for in-person summary hearing granted.

The applicant brought a motion to add the Ministry of Community and Social Services and United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Ontario Works as respondents to her human rights application alleging discrimination regarding the denial of a Guide Dog Benefit.

The applicant also requested an in-person summary hearing as an accommodation for her disabilities.

The Tribunal granted both requests, noting the lack of opposition from the proposed respondents and applying the test for adding respondents.

Leach v. Ontario (Community and Social Services), 2017 HRTO 1412

Jo-Anne Pickel

Human rights application dismissed as abandoned after applicant failed to respond to Notice of Intent to Dismiss.

The applicant filed an application alleging a violation of the Human Rights Code.

The Tribunal issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss (NOID) on the basis that the application appeared to be outside its jurisdiction.

The applicant failed to respond to the NOID by the specified deadline.

Consequently, the Tribunal deemed the application abandoned and dismissed it.

Anna Lynch v. Losani Homes Ltd., 2017 HRTO 1411

Jo-Anne Pickel

Human rights application dismissed as abandoned after applicant failed to respond to Notice of Intent to Dismiss.

The applicant filed an application alleging a violation of the Human Rights Code.

The Tribunal issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss (NOID) on the basis that the application appeared to be outside its jurisdiction.

The applicant's litigation guardian advised the Tribunal by email that the applicant wished to withdraw the application but failed to file the required form or respond to the NOID.

The Tribunal deemed the application abandoned and dismissed it.

Persaud v. Direct Energy Marketing Limited, 2017 HRTO 1409

Michael Anasakta

2 cases2017–2017

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioOct 19, 2017

Reconsideration request dismissed as the challenged extension of time was not a final decision.

The applicant requested a reconsideration of the Tribunal's decision to grant an extension of time to the respondent to respond to a Request for Order During Proceedings.

The Tribunal dismissed the request, finding that the procedural decision challenged was not a final decision that disposed of the central issues in the complaint, and therefore could not be the subject of a reconsideration request under Rule 26.1.

Younano v. Ontario (Ministry of Finance), 2017 HRTO 1392

Krishana Persaud

Practising Law - Employed6 cases2015–2018

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioOct 18, 2017

Request to defer human rights application pending franchise arbitration denied due to insufficient issue overlap.

The respondent requested that the Tribunal defer the applicant's human rights application pending the outcome of an arbitration proceeding under the parties' franchise agreement.

The application alleged discrimination and reprisal based on disability and family status regarding the enforcement of franchise requirements.

The Tribunal denied the deferral request, finding insufficient overlap between the facts and issues in the application and the arbitration, and no serious risk of inconsistent results.

Cook v. Pillar to Post Inc., 2017 HRTO 1382

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioOct 16, 2017

Human rights application dismissed for lack of jurisdiction to review WSIB benefits decisions.

The applicant filed a human rights application alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of disability, claiming the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board denied him benefits for a serious head injury sustained at work.

The Tribunal issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss, noting the application appeared outside its jurisdiction as it challenged the decision of another adjudicative process and was filed out of time.

The Tribunal dismissed the application, finding it plain and obvious that it lacked jurisdiction to review decisions of other administrative bodies, which are protected by adjudicative immunity.

John Wood v. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, 2017 HRTO 1360

Brent Foreman

11 cases1985–2017

Jo-Anne Pickel

Interim remedy to halt condominium walkway construction denied as it would not prevent future accessibility modifications.

The applicant filed a human rights application alleging discrimination in housing due to the condominium corporation's failure to provide ramped access to her unit and flexibility in parking rules.

She requested an interim remedy to halt the pouring of concrete for walkways until an agreement on accessibility modifications was reached.

The Tribunal denied the request, finding that the planned concrete work would not prevent the future construction of ramps and that an interim remedy was not necessary to ensure an effective final remedy.

Flemington v. Wentworth Standard Condominium Corporation #379, 2017 HRTO 1357

Jo-Anne Pickel

Employment and Labour Law

Human rights application dismissed for abandonment after applicant failed to respond to Notice of Intent to Dismiss.

The applicant filed an application alleging discrimination under the Human Rights Code.

The Tribunal issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss, noting that the application did not appear to relate to any of the social areas enumerated in the Code.

The applicant was directed to file submissions but failed to do so by the deadline.

Consequently, the Tribunal dismissed the application for abandonment.

Laura Hachem c. Saint Charbel Parish Maronite Catholic Church, 2017 HRTO 1355

Affected Party

Christine DaviesCounsel
1 appearance

Applicant

Donald WilliamsSelf-represented
2 appearances
Helene GodinSelf-represented
1 appearance
Suzanne HunchukSelf-represented
1 appearance
Gang RongSelf-represented
1 appearance
Gregory VezinaSelf-represented
1 appearance
Marie-Paule Driggs JerezSelf-represented
1 appearance
Ade OlumideSelf-represented
1 appearance
John WoodSelf-represented
1 appearance
Yvonne SookdeoSelf-represented
1 appearance
Constantine BassisSelf-represented
1 appearance
Allen Christopher RosarioSelf-represented
1 appearance
Laura BurchSelf-represented
1 appearance
A.B.Self-represented
1 appearance
John GallagherSelf-represented
1 appearance
Lee ThompsonSelf-represented
1 appearance
Marcia Marla ThomasSelf-represented
1 appearance
Prakash MurugesanSelf-represented
1 appearance
Allison ArmstrongSelf-represented
1 appearance
Shelley LeachSelf-represented
1 appearance
Everton HayeSelf-represented
1 appearance

Counsel

Lucy SiracoCounsel
1 appearance
Yuce BaykaraCounsel
1 appearance
Jason TamCounsel
1 appearance
Christopher StienburgCounsel
1 appearance
Domenic SeverinoCounsel
1 appearance
Daniel GuttmanCounsel
1 appearance
Stephanie YoungCounsel
1 appearance

Counsel for the Applicant

Margaret ParsonsCounsel
1 appearance

Counsel for the Respondents

Alix HerberCounsel
1 appearance

for 0825859 B.C. Ltd (d.b.a. Four Seasons Hotel Toronto)

Jeremy HannCounsel
1 appearance

for 1900119 Ontario Inc. o/a The Augusta House and 1892499 Ontario o/a The Pheasant Plucker

Jasmina Mrkalj-SkellyCounsel
1 appearance

for A-1 Personnel Resources Inc.

Christina BorgesAgent
1 appearance

for Andorra Building Maintenance Ltd.

Frida De PazAgent
1 appearance

for Black & MacDonald Limited, Net Electric Inc., Plan Group Inc. and The Roberts Group Inc.

Scott G. ThompsonCounsel
1 appearance

for Chrysler Canada Inc., Rick Marshall and Dave Wallace

Christopher DunnCounsel
1 appearance

for Cleveland Indians Baseball Company Limited Partnership

Jonathan LisusCounsel
1 appearance

for Corporation of the Municipality of Penetanguishene

Holly BryceCounsel
1 appearance

for Ecuhome Corporation, Jacqueline Beckford, Barry Espin, Sally Murphy, Bruse Sexsmith

Gordon WoodCounsel
1 appearance

for Family Chiropractic Centre and Dr. Scott Huehn

Wade PoziomkaCounsel
1 appearance

for Fera Zubaidy

Fera ZubaidySelf-represented
1 appearance

for First Canada ULC

Mathias LinkCounsel
1 appearance

for Halton Condominium Corporation No. 41

K.C. WysynskiCounsel
1 appearance

for Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario, as represented by the Attorney General (Court Services Division)

Connie VernonCounsel
1 appearance

for Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Marnie CorboldCounsel
1 appearance

for herself

Gabriela Olguin de CoptoSelf-represented
1 appearance

for himself

Harry FineSelf-represented
1 appearance

for Hudson Bay Company, Owen Baker, and Bryan Marville

William AndersonCounsel
1 appearance

for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 303 and Peter Wall

Ron LebiCounsel
1 appearance

for Kenneth Swan and Kenneth P. Swan Arbitration Ltd.

David C. MooreCounsel
1 appearance

for KPMG Inc., Court Appointed Monitor

Dev CoossaAgent
1 appearance
Maxime CodereAgent
1 appearance

for Leon Rideout

Piper HendersonCounsel
1 appearance

for Loblaws Inc.

Misha WilsonCounsel
1 appearance

for Luxottica Retail Canada Inc. c.o.b. as LensCrafters

Cherrine ChowCounsel
1 appearance

for Major League Baseball

Markus KoehnenCounsel
1 appearance

for Middlesex-London Emergency Medical Services Authority

Stephanie N. JeronimoCounsel
1 appearance

for Midland Service Ontario Centre, Corporation of the Municipality of Midland, and HGR Graham Partners LLP

Andrew MaeCounsel
1 appearance

for Nadine Dobro, Catherine Lyons, Kasha McDougall, Melissa Maya, Jessica Wake and Aldene Thomas

Glenn ChuCounsel
1 appearance

for Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Richard BlairCounsel
1 appearance

for Paragon Security

Daniel ChodosCounsel
1 appearance
David WhittenCounsel
1 appearance

for Rogers Communications Inc.

Kent ThomsonCounsel
1 appearance

for Terra Nova Transport Ltd.

Heather CameronCounsel
1 appearance

for Thames Emergency Medical Services

Paula RusakCounsel
1 appearance

for The Active Group

Robert DowhanCounsel
1 appearance

for the Affected Parties

Susan CrawfordCounsel
1 appearance

for the Affected Party

Vicky RamsayCounsel
2 appearances
Adrienne LiangCounsel
1 appearance
Helen NowakCounsel
1 appearance
Thom YachninCounsel
1 appearance
Derron VernonUnion representative
1 appearance
Katrina PeddleCounsel
1 appearance
John EvansCounsel
1 appearance
Victoria HannahUnion representative
1 appearance
John GormanUnion representative
1 appearance

for the Affected Person

Adrienne LiangUnion representative
1 appearance

for the Amherstburg Police Association

Jeffrey HewittCounsel
1 appearance

for the Amherstburg Police Service Board

Edward PosliffCounsel
1 appearance

for the Applicant

Anne MarsdenSelf-represented
8 appearances
Christine LundyAgent
8 appearances
Esther del Carmen Mancebo-MunozSelf-represented
6 appearances
Kate HughesCounsel
6 appearances
Brenda CulbertCounsel
6 appearances
Jordan LesterCounsel
5 appearances
Solomon FaganSelf-represented
5 appearances
Nadia LambekCounsel
5 appearances
Prakash MurugesanSelf-represented
5 appearances
Wade PoziomkaCounsel
4 appearances
Donald WilliamsSelf-represented
4 appearances
Cecil NormanAgent
4 appearances
M.D.Self-represented
4 appearances
Clara MathesonCounsel
3 appearances
Jamillah MensahAgent
3 appearances
Dan GonderAgent
3 appearances
Everton HayeSelf-represented
3 appearances
Nicole SimesCounsel
3 appearances
David FreeSelf-represented
3 appearances
Vincent SinclairSelf-represented
3 appearances

for the Applicants

David WrightCounsel
3 appearances
Anton BonniciSelf-represented
2 appearances
Catherine Gleason-MercierCounsel
2 appearances
Mindy NobleCounsel
1 appearance
Roger LoveCounsel
1 appearance
Grace VaccarelliCounsel
1 appearance
Jane LettonCounsel
1 appearance
Cecilia MonaghanSelf-represented
1 appearance
Anton BonniciAgent
1 appearance
Lisa TrianoCounsel
1 appearance
Christine GeneraoSelf-represented
1 appearance
Chris PereraSelf-represented
1 appearance

for the Canadian Soccer Association

Joseph ArvayCounsel
2 appearances
Sean HernCounsel
2 appearances
Catherine Boies ParkerCounsel
1 appearance

for the Complainant

Anne MarinSelf-represented
3 appearances
Jason LockwoodSelf-represented
1 appearance
Sarah HormuzSelf-represented
1 appearance
Glenn HedrichSelf-represented
1 appearance
Donna SalmSelf-represented
1 appearance
Emanuel NavaSelf-represented
1 appearance
Eric FroudeSelf-represented
1 appearance
Salnave Saint-BonheurSelf-represented
1 appearance
John JacksonSelf-represented
1 appearance
Karen DaweSelf-represented
1 appearance
Terry EdwardsSelf-represented
1 appearance
Jo-Ann MacConnellSelf-represented
1 appearance
Ritva SaundersAgent
1 appearance
Lisa ZukSelf-represented
1 appearance
Donna GlazewskiSelf-represented
1 appearance
Suzanne HunchukSelf-represented
1 appearance
Michael GrahamSelf-represented
1 appearance
Stephen PennellSelf-represented
1 appearance

for the County of Renfrew Ontario Works and United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Ontario Works

Stephen MenardCounsel
1 appearance

for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association

Jérôme ValckeAgent
2 appearances

for the Interested Party

Adrienne LiangCounsel
1 appearance
Brian GreenspanAgent
1 appearance

for the Interested Party, Medisys

Brian GreenspanCounsel
1 appearance

for the International Olympic Committee

Ronald SlaghtCounsel
1 appearance

for the Intervener, Office of the Employer Adviser

David BorwickAgent
1 appearance

for the intervenor

Michael GlocknerAgent
1 appearance

for the Intervenor

Dean ArdronCounsel
3 appearances
Anne CummingCounsel
2 appearances
Marisa PollockCounsel
1 appearance
Sunil GurmukhCounsel
1 appearance
Alycia ShawCounsel
1 appearance
Sue LottCounsel
1 appearance
Robert WhillansCounsel
1 appearance
Denise WorkunSelf-represented
1 appearance
Danny KastnerCounsel
1 appearance
Adrian JakibchukCounsel
1 appearance
Don PyperCounsel
1 appearance

for the Ministry of Community and Social Services

Yashoda RanganathanCounsel
1 appearance

for the Ontario Cycling Association and Cycling Canada Cyclisme

Macdonald AllenCounsel
1 appearance
Albert FormosaCounsel
1 appearance

for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Adrienne LiangCounsel
1 appearance

for the Proposed Intervenor

Daniel AttwellCounsel
1 appearance
Sid KnowlesSelf-represented
1 appearance

for the Proposed Respondent

Susan McCorquodaleCounsel
2 appearances
Joanna RainbowCounsel
1 appearance
Bryan A. CarrollCounsel
1 appearance

for the Proposed Respondent BFI Constructors Ltd.

Christopher LaneCounsel
1 appearance

for the Proposed Respondent Carmen Sacco

Ramon V. AndalCounsel
1 appearance

for the Proposed Respondent Construction Opportunities Development Council Inc.

Anna Maria MoscardelliAgent
1 appearance

for the Proposed Respondent/Intervenor

Joshua PhillipsCounsel
1 appearance

for the Proposed Respondent Sears Canada Inc.

Stephanie WhiteCounsel
1 appearance

for the Proposed Respondents SimpsonWigle LLP, John M. Wigle and Firdaus H. Walele

Firdaus WaleleCounsel
1 appearance

for the Proposed Respondent The Active Group

Robert W. DowhanCounsel
2 appearances

for the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board

Patricia G. MurrayCounsel
1 appearance
Lynda BordeleauCounsel
1 appearance

for the respondent

Dan GuttmanCounsel
5 appearances
Robert CharneyCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent

Daniel GuttmanCounsel
6 appearances
Julie O’DonnellCounsel
5 appearances
Dan GuttmanCounsel
5 appearances
Brandin O’ConnorCounsel
5 appearances
Lucy SiracoCounsel
4 appearances
Chantelle BrysonCounsel
4 appearances
Randy AiCounsel
4 appearances
Matthew DemeoCounsel
3 appearances
Jodi Gallagher HealyCounsel
3 appearances
Robert CharneyCounsel
3 appearances
Scott WilliamsCounsel
3 appearances
Lorenzo LisiCounsel
3 appearances
Yola VentrescaCounsel
3 appearances
Stephanie YoungCounsel
3 appearances
John FieldCounsel
3 appearances
David GourlayCounsel
3 appearances
Leah SimonCounsel
3 appearances
Robert EdwardsCounsel
3 appearances
Adrienne CoutoCounsel
3 appearances
William LemayCounsel
2 appearances

for the Respondent and Proposed Respondents SimpsonWigle LLP, John M. Wigle and Firdaus H. Walele

Firdaus WaleleCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Angelo Costa

Kevin McGivneyCounsel
1 appearance
Naomi CallaCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Association des enseignantes et des enseignants de l’Ontario

Lise LeducCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens

Lise LeducCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Board of Directors of the Halton Condominium Corporation No. 41

K. C. WysynskiCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent CA-DO Mart Limited

Heather CameronCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Canadian Electrocoating Ltd.

Jeanine WattCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent CIBC Mortgages Inc.

John FieldCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario

Sébastien LorquetCounsel
2 appearances

for the Respondent Controlex Corporation

Jonathan RichardsonCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Danny Weill

Suzy KauffmanCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Davis Henderson Limited Partnership

Allyson M. FischerCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Davis Henderson Limited Partnership by its general partner Davis Henderson G.P. Inc.

Allyson M. FischerCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Fédération Internationale de Football Association

Jérôme ValckeAgent
1 appearance

for the Respondent Gestion Rodaki Inc.

Louise MorelCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Halton Condominium Corporation No. 41

K.C. WysynskiCounsel
2 appearances

for the Respondent Heidi Kessler and Intervenor Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 4400

Tim GleasonCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent International Olympic Committee

Ronald SlaghtCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Laura Borden

Laura BordenSelf-represented
1 appearance

for the Respondent, London Life Insurance Company

Sonya ClarkCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Manna Foods Inc.

Anita LandryCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited

Robert BayneCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent mdBriefcase Inc.

Mark FletcherCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Ministry of Finance

Pauline KwanCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent MS Employment Consultants Ltd.

Jasmin MarcosAgent
1 appearance

for the Respondent Nelligan O’Brien Payne LLP

Susanne SviergulaCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Danny KastnerCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Peter Nguyen

Jean-Pierre UngCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Raheel Irfan

Tyler InksterCounsel
2 appearances

for the Respondent Rogers Blue Jays Baseball Partnership dba Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club

Arlen SternbergCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Rouge Valley Co-operative Homes Inc.

Kiel ArdalCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Royal Ottawa Health Care Group

Michelle O’BonsawinCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondents

Amandi EsonwanneCounsel
6 appearances
Angela RaeCounsel
5 appearances
Robert EdwardsCounsel
3 appearances
Lucy SiracoCounsel
3 appearances
Gerald J. GriffithsCounsel
2 appearances
Kerri KitchuraCounsel
2 appearances
Mélissa LacroixCounsel
2 appearances
Rita BairosAgent
2 appearances
Kathryn BirdCounsel
2 appearances
Carolyn DunlopCounsel
2 appearances
Vincent PanettaCounsel
2 appearances
Maria KotsopoulosCounsel
2 appearances
M. Elizabeth KeenanCounsel
2 appearances
Keri WilsonCounsel
2 appearances
Robert AtkinsonCounsel
2 appearances
Christian VernonCounsel
2 appearances
Brent ForemanCounsel
1 appearance
John FieldCounsel
1 appearance
Ben MillardCounsel
1 appearance
Daniel McDonaldCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondents Brian Etheridge and Anita Etheridge

Anita EtheridgeAgent
1 appearance

for the Respondents Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Sehwan Oh

Jacqueline LukshaCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondents Ontario Cycling Association and Cycling Canada Cyclisme

Albert FormosaCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto

Stephanie YoungCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent St. Michael’s Hospital

Naomi CallaCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Teamsters Local 879

Michael KlugCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent The Active Group

Robert DowhanCounsel
2 appearances

for the Respondent The Athletic Club (Trainyards) Inc.

Brian MacDonaldCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Ticketmaster Canada LP

Stuart SvonkinCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Toronto District School Board

Andrew ZabrovskyCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Toronto Police Services Board

Heather CrispCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Union Cycliste Internationale

Nicolas ValticosCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Waterloo Regional Police Services Board

Gary MelansonCounsel
1 appearance

for the Respondent Weston Bakeries Ltd.

Kate DeardenCounsel
1 appearance

for the Third Party

Emtiaz BalaCounsel
1 appearance
Nansy GhobrialCounsel
1 appearance

for the Union Cycliste Internationale

Caroline (Nini) JonesCounsel
2 appearances
Jesse EldersCounsel
1 appearance

for the University of Western Ontario

Barry BrownCounsel
1 appearance

for the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Greg BullenCounsel
1 appearance

for the World Anti-Doping Agency

Pamela HrickCounsel
1 appearance
Brian GoverCounsel
1 appearance

for Toronto Police Services Board

Michele BradyCounsel
1 appearance

for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1000A

Elichai ShaffirCounsel
1 appearance

for Yvonne Galley

Harry BlackCounsel
1 appearance

litigation guardian for the Applicant

Ashisha PersaudAgent
1 appearance

Representative

Glynis NicholsonSelf-represented
1 appearance

Respondent

Adrien IafrateCounsel
1 appearance
John AlabiSelf-represented
1 appearance
Landon YoungCounsel
1 appearance
Nini JonesCounsel
1 appearance
Thomas McRaeCounsel
1 appearance
Justin HeimpelCounsel
1 appearance

Respondent Liquor Control Board of Ontario

Justin DiggleCounsel
1 appearance

Respondent Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Richard BlairCounsel
1 appearance

Respondents

Jonathan SchofieldAgent
1 appearance

Self-represented

Zoran BackovicSelf-represented
1 appearance
Donald WilliamsSelf-represented
1 appearance
John GallagherSelf-represented
1 appearance

761

Decisions

Years active

Tribunals

12.5

cases/mo

HRTO761(100%)

Decision types

motion

730

trial

/Adjudicator

Jo-Anne Pickel — Adjudicator

Human Rights

Administrative Law

Other Tribunals

Workplace Safety and Insurance Law

Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law

Landlord and Tenant

Health Law

Criminal and Quasi-Criminal Law

Family and Matrimonial Law

Jo-Anne Pickel

Adjudicator·Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario·Since 2012

761

cases · 6 yrs · HRTO

Trial

Motion

Costs

Appeal

Sentencing

Vice-chair· 592Adjudicator· 80Vice-chair· 69Adjudicator· 18Vice- Chair· 1Vice-présidente· 1

Stephanie Young

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioNov 21, 2017

Request to amend human rights application denied due to untimeliness; applicant ordered to cease disrespectful language.

The applicant sought to amend his human rights application to add new allegations of sexual harassment and claimed the respondent's counsel intimidated him by using couriers and the word 'served'.

The Tribunal denied the request to amend, finding the new allegations were untimely and would cause significant delay.

Gallagher v. OCAD University, 2017 HRTO 1526

Lydia Bay

In Private Practice3 cases2016–2017

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioNov 15, 2017

Hearing adjourned on consent to allow applicant to request amendment of application regarding employment termination.

The applicant sought to file a new application relating to the respondent's termination of his employment.

On consent of the parties, the Tribunal adjourned the scheduled hearing following mediation-adjudication.

Ryan Larcher v. District School Board Ontario North East, 2017 HRTO 1493

Lora Castellucci

In Private Practice29 cases2001–2026

Jo-Anne Pickel

Practising Law - Employed13 cases2015–2018

Human rights application deferred pending conclusion of concurrent OLRB proceeding regarding employment termination.

The Tribunal found substantial overlap between the facts in the OLRB proceeding and the human rights application, specifically regarding the reasons for the termination of the applicant's employment.

To avoid the risk of inconsistent findings, the Tribunal deferred consideration of the application pending the conclusion of the OLRB proceeding, including any reconsideration or judicial review.

Alicia Allen v. Eamon Park Housing Co-operative Inc. - Board of Directors, 2017 HRTO 1462

Roger Love

Jo-Anne Pickel

Respondent ordered to pay $7,000 settlement plus $5,000 for emotional harm after breaching agreement.

The applicants filed a Contravention of Settlement Application alleging the respondent breached Minutes of Settlement by failing to pay $7,000 in agreed-upon damages.

The respondent did not participate in the proceeding.

Lukey and Pietrzyk v. Rygier, 2017 HRTO 1459

Stephanie Young

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioNov 3, 2017

Tribunal orders production of human resources file and directs applicant to provide pre-hearing disclosure.

Gallagher v. OCAD University, 2017 HRTO 1458

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioNov 2, 2017

Third party ordered to produce contact information for a potential witness.

GardaWorld did not respond to the request.

The Tribunal applied the arguable relevance test and ordered GardaWorld to produce the requested information, finding it arguably relevant to the issues in the case.

Solomon Fagan v. Toronto Transit Commission and Wheel-Trans, 2017 HRTO 1448

John Bartolomeo

Practising Law - Employed13 cases2009–2024

Clifford Hart

19 cases2007–2019

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioOct 31, 2017

Human rights application withdrawn with prejudice on the first day of hearing.

The applicant filed a human rights application alleging workplace discrimination, harassment, and failure to accommodate.

On the first day of the scheduled hearing, during a mediation-adjudication session, the applicant requested to withdraw her application.

Ubah Aganeh v. Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office, 2017 HRTO 1437

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioOct 31, 2017

Interim remedy and request to expedite proceedings denied in housing discrimination application.

The applicant filed an application alleging discrimination, harassment, and reprisal based on disability and association with a person identified by a Code ground.

He requested an interim remedy ordering the respondents to provide his requested accommodations, as well as a request to expedite proceedings.

The Tribunal denied the request to expedite and denied the interim remedy, finding it inappropriate to order accommodations before a hearing determines they are required under the Code.

Mills v. Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corporation # 580, 2017 HRTO 1433

Hassan Ahmad

In Private Practice6 cases2015–2022

Jo-Anne Pickel

Not Practising Law - Employed4 cases2016–2017

Request to expedite human rights application regarding driver's license waiting period exemption denied.

The applicant filed an Application alleging discrimination regarding the Ministry of Transportation's policy on exemptions from the one-year waiting period for a driver's license.

The applicant requested to expedite the Application, arguing it would become moot if not heard before the waiting period expired.

The Tribunal denied the request to expedite, noting that the Application would not necessarily become moot under the Tribunal's case law, and offered the parties an expedited mediation.

Alturki v. Ontario (Transportation), 2017 HRTO 1424

Lisa Cabel

18 cases2009–2017

Anna Kalinichenko

Jo-Anne Pickel

Practising Law - Employed30 cases2017–2026

Tribunal grants applicant's request to add supervisor as personal respondent and amend application.

The applicant filed a Request for Order During Proceedings to add her supervisor as a personal respondent, add the ground of reprisal, and amend the remedy sought from $35,000 to $150,000.

The corporate respondent opposed the requests, arguing that it would be deemed liable for the supervisor's actions under s. 46.3(1) of the Human Rights Code.

Sallam v. Oracle Canada ULC, 2017 HRTO 1421

Adrien Iafrate

Jo-Anne Pickel

Tribunal denies requests to add respondent and anonymize application, but allows adding sex as discrimination ground.

The Tribunal denied the request to add the respondent because the applicant had already commenced a separate application against them.

The request to add sex as a ground was granted.

The request for anonymization was denied as the applicant did not establish exceptional circumstances outweighing the public interest in open justice.

The accommodation request was deferred pending specific requests.

Shelley Leach v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as represented by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, 2017 HRTO 1420

Jo-Anne Pickel

Practising Law - Employed38 cases2009–2026

Human rights application dismissed as abandoned after applicant failed to respond to Notice of Intent to Dismiss.

The applicant filed a human rights application against the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

The Tribunal issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss (NOID) on the basis that the application appeared to be outside its jurisdiction.

The applicant failed to respond to the NOID by the specified deadline.

Consequently, the Tribunal deemed the application abandoned and dismissed it.

McRae v. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, 2017 HRTO 1413

Yashoda Ranganathan

Stephen Menard

1 case2017–2017

Mikaila Greene

5 cases2016–2017

Jo-Anne Pickel

Motion to add respondents and request for in-person summary hearing granted.

The applicant also requested an in-person summary hearing as an accommodation for her disabilities.

The Tribunal granted both requests, noting the lack of opposition from the proposed respondents and applying the test for adding respondents.

Leach v. Ontario (Community and Social Services), 2017 HRTO 1412

Jo-Anne Pickel

Human rights application dismissed as abandoned after applicant failed to respond to Notice of Intent to Dismiss.

The applicant filed an application alleging a violation of the Human Rights Code.

The Tribunal issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss (NOID) on the basis that the application appeared to be outside its jurisdiction.

The applicant failed to respond to the NOID by the specified deadline.

Consequently, the Tribunal deemed the application abandoned and dismissed it.

Anna Lynch v. Losani Homes Ltd., 2017 HRTO 1411

Jo-Anne Pickel

Human rights application dismissed as abandoned after applicant failed to respond to Notice of Intent to Dismiss.

The applicant filed an application alleging a violation of the Human Rights Code.

The Tribunal issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss (NOID) on the basis that the application appeared to be outside its jurisdiction.

The applicant's litigation guardian advised the Tribunal by email that the applicant wished to withdraw the application but failed to file the required form or respond to the NOID.

The Tribunal deemed the application abandoned and dismissed it.

Persaud v. Direct Energy Marketing Limited, 2017 HRTO 1409

Michael Anasakta

2 cases2017–2017

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioOct 19, 2017

Reconsideration request dismissed as the challenged extension of time was not a final decision.

The applicant requested a reconsideration of the Tribunal's decision to grant an extension of time to the respondent to respond to a Request for Order During Proceedings.

Younano v. Ontario (Ministry of Finance), 2017 HRTO 1392

Krishana Persaud

Practising Law - Employed6 cases2015–2018

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioOct 18, 2017

Request to defer human rights application pending franchise arbitration denied due to insufficient issue overlap.

The respondent requested that the Tribunal defer the applicant's human rights application pending the outcome of an arbitration proceeding under the parties' franchise agreement.

The application alleged discrimination and reprisal based on disability and family status regarding the enforcement of franchise requirements.

The Tribunal denied the deferral request, finding insufficient overlap between the facts and issues in the application and the arbitration, and no serious risk of inconsistent results.

Cook v. Pillar to Post Inc., 2017 HRTO 1382

Jo-Anne Pickel

HRTOHuman Rights Tribunal of OntarioOct 16, 2017

Human rights application dismissed for lack of jurisdiction to review WSIB benefits decisions.

The Tribunal issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss, noting the application appeared outside its jurisdiction as it challenged the decision of another adjudicative process and was filed out of time.

The Tribunal dismissed the application, finding it plain and obvious that it lacked jurisdiction to review decisions of other administrative bodies, which are protected by adjudicative immunity.

John Wood v. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, 2017 HRTO 1360

Brent Foreman

11 cases1985–2017

Jo-Anne Pickel

Interim remedy to halt condominium walkway construction denied as it would not prevent future accessibility modifications.

The applicant filed a human rights application alleging discrimination in housing due to the condominium corporation's failure to provide ramped access to her unit and flexibility in parking rules.

She requested an interim remedy to halt the pouring of concrete for walkways until an agreement on accessibility modifications was reached.

Flemington v. Wentworth Standard Condominium Corporation #379, 2017 HRTO 1357

Jo-Anne Pickel