Maureen Farson

The appellant applied for social assistance but failed to disclose trust funds held for her minor sons.

The local social services department cancelled her benefits and demanded repayment, finding the funds were accessible assets.

The Social Benefits Tribunal upheld this decision.

On appeal, the Divisional Court found that because the trust was discretionary and the co-trustee refused to release the funds, the funds were not accessible to the beneficiaries.

The appeal was allowed, and the trust funds were excluded as assets for determining eligibility.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board issued a bottom-line decision regarding the restructuring of bargaining units at the newly amalgamated City of Kingston under the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, 1997.

The Board directed the preservation of the ONA nurses' unit and a separate utilities unit represented by the IBEW.

Transit workers represented by the CAW were folded into a broader all-employee unit proposed by CUPE.

The Board also defined the firefighters' unit and directed the parties to finalize the remaining bargaining unit descriptions with the assistance of a Board Officer.

The applicant union referred a grievance to the Ontario Labour Relations Board against Parent Masonry Limited for failing to remit welfare payments, union dues, and other required payments under two collective agreements.

The union also sought to hold the Masonry Contractors' Association of Toronto Inc. liable for the default under a guarantee clause in the agreements.

The Board found that Parent Masonry Limited violated the agreements and ordered it to pay $55,629.63.

However, the Board dismissed the claim against the Association, finding that the union failed to satisfy the condition precedent of exhausting all ways and means of collection, including the mechanics lien remedy, in a timely manner before seeking to enforce the guarantee.

The respondent employer requested the Ontario Labour Relations Board to enforce a previous award, alleging the applicant union failed to distribute trust monies to employees as ordered.

The union raised a preliminary objection regarding the Board's jurisdiction.

The Board dismissed the employer's request, ruling that it lacks statutory authority to enforce its own awards.

Under section 44(11) of the Labour Relations Act, enforcement must be pursued through the Supreme Court.