3 Legal Lessons Ontario Employers Should Know—From Our Latest Webinar Hosted by WorkBright
During Safety and Health Week 2025, WorkBright hosted a webinar exploring how recent court cases in occupational health and safety are reshaping legal expectations for Ontario employers.
If you missed it, this article recaps the three essential legal lessons covered in the session. Each lesson is based on real cases and decisions from 2024.
The recorded webinar is available below.
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Lesson 1: Structure Your Organization Strategically and Protect Your Workers
Case: R v. 1222149 Ontario Ltd. (Dairy Queen)
This case involved a young worker seriously injured at a franchised restaurant, raising important questions about how businesses structure ownership.
Key OHS takeaways:
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Ensure young workers receive health and safety information and instruction.
- Ensure supervisors understand their duties, and monitor the work of new employees more closely until they become more competent.
R. v. 1222149 Ontario Ltd. (Dairy Queen and/or Embrun DQ Grill & Chill), 2024 ONCA 543
Lesson 2: Know Your Role in the Owner–Contractor Relationship
Case: Ontario (Labour) v. City of Greater Sudbury
After a tragic fatality involving a municipal contractor, the courts created plenty of discussion around important considerations for when an owner of a project might become an employer, and the duties that follow.
Why it matters and key takeaways: Read this article by Luiza Vikhnovich – Closing the Book on R v Sudbury April 2025
Lesson 3: Make Sure Supervisors Know the Law—And Act on It
Cases: R v. Urgiles and R v. King
The third lesson reinforces the importance of ensuring supervisors and managers understand their duties as they relate to occupational health and safety.
Why it matters: Supervisors who ignore health and safety risks or fail to act to can face severe consequences, including jail time. Read more about R v. King by Luiza Vikhnovich and Keith P. Burkhardt of Sherrard Kuzz.
Not Sure Where You Stand?
If you’re not sure whether your health and safety practices meet current expectations—or if you know gaps exist—WorkBright™ can help.
Speak with a Health and Safety Expert.
Learn how we can help your workplace assess compliance and identify areas of risk.
Speak with a Health and Safety Expert.
Learn how we can help your workplace assess compliance and identify areas of risk.