Our Team

Donald B. Jarvis


Contact
T: 416.408.5516
F: 416.408.4814
E: djarvis@filion.on.ca

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Assistant
Leanne Frankcom
T: 647.797.4452
F: 416.408.4814
E: lfrankcom@filion.on.ca

Education/Admissions
  • Call to the Bar, Ontario - 1988
  • Dalhousie University, Bachelor of Laws 
  • Queen's University, Bachelor of Arts

Donald B. Jarvis
Partner

Executive Summary

Donald is a partner at the firm. He joined the firm as an associate in 1990 and has been a partner since 1994.

Donald’s practice involves representing management in all areas of labour relations, human rights and employment law, including acting as spokesperson at collective bargaining negotiations. He regularly represents both public sector and private sector employers before labour boards, arbitration boards, the courts and numerous employment-related administrative tribunals. He has been certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Labour Law since 1998.

He regularly authors articles and presents on labour and employment law matters to employer groups and labour law practitioners.

Donald is a Past Chair (2003 – 2004) and Past Executive Member (2000 – 2005) of the Labour Relations Section of the Ontario Bar Association. He is also a former member of the Board of Directors of The Advocates’ Society (2009 – 2012) as well as a former member of the Board of Directors (1990 – 1994) of COTA – Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Mental Health Services – and former member of COTA’s Administrative & Financial Committee (1994 – 2000).

Memberships and Professional Affiliations

  • Law Society of Ontario, Certified Specialist in Labour Law since 1998
  • The Advocates’ Society
  • Ontario Bar Association, Member of the Labour Relations, Administrative Law, and Workers’ Compensation Sections
  • Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE)
  • The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (USA) 

Selected Publications, Presentations and Media Mentions

Systemic Sex Discrimination, Police Association of Ontario 30th Annual Police Employment Conference, March 1, 2021

Canada Labour Code: Quick Reference - 2019 Edition, Thomson Reuters (Co-author)

The Law of Industrial Conflict, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law - 2018 (Faculty)

Major Caselaw & Legislative Update, Lancaster House Annual Human Rights and Accommodation Conference - April 2018 (Presenter)

Human Resources Guide to Discipline and Termination of Employment, 3rd Edition, Thomson Reuters, 2018 (Co-author)

The Law of Industrial Conflict, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law - 2017, 2016, 2015 (Faculty)

Best Practices for Investigating Allegations of Workplace Harassment and Bullying, Police Association of Ontario - Annual Police Employment Conference - March 2015

It's Complicated: The Relationship Between Workplace Violence and Mental Health, The Six-Minute Labour Lawyer (Law Society of Upper Canada) - June 2015

The Law of Industrial Conflict, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law - 2014 (Faculty)

Major Case Law Legislative Update, Lancaster House - Annual Human Rights and Accommodation Conference - April 2014

The Law of Industrial Conflict, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law - 2013 (Faculty)

Unlocking Keays: The Latest on Bad Faith Damages in Wrongful Dismissal Actions, FWTA Annual Seminar - June 2013

Surveillance, Privacy and Social Media Issues at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal: The Employer's Perspective, Current Issues in Workplace Safety and Insurance Law (OBA Professional Development) - May 2013

Working Rules: Employment Law Update, The Advocates' Society Fall Convention - November 2012

Jumping the Gun: Law and Procedure Related to Illegal Strike Activity, The Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law - February 2012

HR Manager's Guide to Discipline and Termination (Second Edition), Thomson Carswell, 2010

Is Wallace Dead? The Keays to the Mystery: Damages in Wrongful Dismissal Revisited, FWTA Annual Seminar - June 2009

New Legal Developments in the Unionized Workplace, Centre for Labour-Management Development - February 2008

The Departed: Damages in Wrongful Dismissal Actions - Terminate Now, Pay Later?, FWTA Annual Seminar - June 2007

The Law of Dismissal in Ontario: A General Overview, Employment Law Conference 2007 - NAPP Canada - March 2007

Leisureworld Revisited, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) - January 2007

New Legal Developments in the Unionized Workplace (Ontario Labour Arbitration Update), Centre for Labour-Management Development - December 2006

Frivolous Wallace Claims May Hurt Otherwise Successful Plaintiffs, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) - May 2006

Poor Performers: Seven Steps to Managing Struggling Employees, HR Professional Magazine - June/July 2005

Labour Law Update: The Ever-Expanding Scope of Aribtral Jurisdiction & Privacy in the Unionized Workplace, HRPAO Annual Conference - February 2005

HR Manager's Guide to Employee Discipline and Discharge, Thomson Carswell - January 2005

Illness and Disability in the Unionized Workplace, Centre for Labour-Management Development - November 2004

The Big Bang: The Ever-Expanding Universe of Arbitral Jurisdiction, FWTA Annual Seminar - June 2004

Criminal Misconduct In and Out of the Workplace, Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association Spring Conference - April 2004

Selected Issues in Workplace Investigations, CBAO-CLE - November 2003

The Year's Top Ontario Labour Arbitration Awards, Centre for Labour-Management Development - November 2003

Avoiding the Pitfall of Constructive Dismissal, Insight - April 2003

Accommodating Physical Disabilities, Canadian Institute - April 2003

The Year's Top Ontario Labour Arbitration Awards, Centre for Labour-Management Development - November 2002

Secondary Picketing: Anywhere, Anytime?, FWTA Annual Seminar - June 2002

New Obligations for Employers and Employees Under Privacy Legislation, Insight - March 2002

The Year's Top Ontario Labour Arbitration Awards, Centre for Labour-Management Development - November 2001

The Effect of Criminal Convictions at Labour Arbitration: The Ontario Court of Appeal Narrows the Scope for Re-Litigation, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) - November 2001

Employment Standards Act, 2000: Changes to the Standard Work Week, Overtime, Statutory Holidays and Direct Deposit of Wages, Insight - September 2001

Managing Workplace Stress Claims: Legal Obligations and Practical Strategies for Employers, Canadian Institute - June 2001

Last Chance Agreements: Still Alive and Well?, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) - June 2001

Last Chance Agreements: Still Alive and Well?, CBAO-CLE - April 2001

Dealing with the Criminal Employe, HRPAO Annual Conference - February 2001

Defining and Documenting Emergency Leave Under the New Employment Standards Act, Insight - February 2001

Litigating Insurance Entitlement Claims: The Final Word?, Labour Relations Section Newsletter (OBA) - January 2001

Investigation of Applicants and Employees: Balancing the Privacy and Human Rights of the Worker Against the Employer's Right to Know, Canadian Institute - November 2000

The Year's Top 15 Arbitration Awards, Centre for Labour-Management Development - October 2000

Discharge for Absenteeism - The Special Case, Lorman - September 2000

The Criminal Employee: Conducting Disciplinary Investigations in the Context of Criminal Activity, FW&T Annual Seminar - June 2000

Disability and Accommodation Management: What Are Your New Responsibilities?, Infonex - April 2000

Confidentiality Issues in the Workplace, Lorman - April 2000

The Labour Law Year in Review, Centre for Labour-Management Development - October 1999

Managing Employee Absenteeism, Illness and Disability in the Next Millennium, Infonex - July 1999

Legal Implications of Mental Health and Stress Issues in the Workplace: An Update, Canadian Institute - June 1999

Hiring Policies, Practices & Techniques, Insight - June 1999

High Performance Grievance Strategies, Centre for Labour-Management Development - May 1999

The Labour Law Year in Review, Centre for Labour-Management Development - October 1998

Practical Strategies for Managing the Duty to Accommodate:  A Review of Employee Absenteeism & Disability, Pregnancy & Parental Leave & Employee Religious Beliefs, Infonex - October 1998

The 1998 Ontario Law and the Workplace Conference, Centre for Labour-Management Development - October 1998

Dealing with Employee Absenteeism and Return-to-Work in the Complex Legal Environment of the 1990’s, Lorman - September 1998

Practice and Procedure Before the New Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, FW&T Annual Seminar - June 1998

Practice and Procedure Before the New Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, Infonex - June 1998

Managing Absenteeism in the Unionized Workplace, Centre for Labour-Management Development - April 1998

Practical Principles for Managing Absenteeism in the Unionized Workplace, Infonex - March 1998

Illness and Disability Management in the Workplace:  Legal Overview and Practical Strategies for the Employer, Infonex - January 1998

Managing Absenteeism in the Unionized Workplace, Centre for Labour-Management Development - December 1997

Reform of Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal, Infonex - December, June and April 1997

How to Deal With The Different Workers' Compensation Acts That Will Now be in Effect, Infonex - June and April 1997

Illness & Disability in the Workplace: Management Strategies for the Employer, Infonex - January 1997

Is There a Future For Tripartite Boards? A Management Viewpoint, Labour Arbitration Yearbook, 1996-1997, Toronto: Lancaster House and Butterworths - 1996

Sale of a Business and Other Restructuring Issues in a Unionized Environment, Infonex - March 1996

Transition Issues Arising out of Bill 7, Insight - December 1995

Illness & Disability in the Workplace: Management Strategies for the Employer, Infonex - November 1995

Sexual Harassment in the Federal Sector, Infonex - October 1995

Independent Contractor or Employee: Distinguishing Between the Two in the Federal Sector, Infonex - October 1995

Dealing with Employee Absenteeism in the Complex Legal Environment of the 1990s, FW&T Annual Seminar - June 1995

The Strike Replacement Worker Provisions of the Ontario Labour Relations Act, Regional Municipalities Association - May 1995

Managing Employee Absenteeism in Today's Human Rights Environment, Infonex - May 1995

Sexual Harassment in the Federal Sector, Infonex - November 1994

Independent Contractor or Employee: Distinguishing Between the Two in the Federal Sector, Infonex - November 1994

Injunctions in Labour Matters, National Judicial Institute - Ontario Court of Justice - May 1994

Managing Stress and Chronic Pain Disability Claims under the Workers' Compensation Act, WF&W Annual Seminar - June 1993

Employment Equity: Directions for Ontario and in the Federal Sector, WF&W Annual Seminar - June 1992

Labour Dispute Injunctions in Ontario: Still Alive in the 90s, The Advocates' Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 4 - April 1992

Disclosure of Information under the Occupational Health and Safety Act: What, if anything, Remains Confidential?, Insight - January 1992

Current Developments in Wrongful Dismissal, WF&W Annual Seminar - June 1991

The Evolution of Pay Equity: What Lies Ahead, WF&W Annual Seminar - June 1990

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