Career/Composite Track Presentation Information
Career and Composite Track Presentation Information
PLEASE NOTE THIS TRACK HAS A MAXIMUM OF 225 PARTICIPANTS.
Harassment 101
Workplace harassment is a growing concern in fire services; it can occur anywhere, anytime - and escalate quickly. It is important that you not only know how to respond in a timely and appropriate way to protect your team and your department, but incorporate policies and practices to help avoid incidents altogether.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team
We Received Notice to Bargain, Can we Still...?
You've received a notice to bargain, now what? A formal notice to bargain puts you, as the employer, into a legally regulated "statutory freeze", with very specific do's and don'ts. Learn what is permitted and restricted during this period of negotiating a new collective agreement.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team
Lessons Learned from Listowel
The tragic loss of two firefighters in the line of duty left a department and its community griveing - and it also underscored the critical importance of leadership and legal preparedness in high-risk workplaces. Chief Janny Pape and Chief Chris Harrow will share the story of their experience, the lessons learned, and the labour and employment issues that arose.
Presenter(s): John Saunders, Chief Janny Pape and Chief Chris Harrow
Legal Compliance and Risk Management - Minimizing your legal risk as a Chief
As a Fire Chief, you have a duty to ensure your department operates within a complex and evolving legal landscape. This session will provide you with the tools and strategies you need to remain compliant with the law while minimizing your risk.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team
Accessibility and Inclusive Accommodations
Providing accessible and inclusive accommodations poses unique challenges in the fire sector. Hicks Morley's Jamie Burns will be joined by officials from the City of Markham and Oscar the Service Dog to discuss the City's experience in managing a request for a service animal in the fire service and the legal principles guiding this process.
Presenter(s): Jamie Burns with Markham and Oscar the Service Dog
WSIAT Caselaw Update: Presumptive WSIB Entitlement for Firefighter Cancers and PTSD
Ontario’s presumptive entitlement provisions for firefighters continue to evolve, impacting how claims are adjudicated under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA). This session will provide fire chiefs with an essential update on relevant WSIAT case law, and a discussion about a recent Ontario Superior Court judicial review decision which overturned three Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) rulings on presumptive cancer claims.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team
Past Practice or Estoppel???
Failing to recognize a binding past practice or triggering estoppel can undermine management rights, even when you're technically correct under the written agreement. We'll review how long-standing practices can become binding, when chiefs can - and can't - change them, and how to avoid common pitfalls that lead to grievances.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team
Pay Equity - A Refresher
Although the Pay Equity Act came into force in 1988, employers have continuing obligations to maintain pay equity - and the Act does not contain any limitation periods. In this session we will review what it means to achieve and maintain pay equity, the latest developments in the case law and what this could mean for your department.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team
Bargaining Update
Bargaining is all about strategy and information. In the fire sector, where pattern bargaining reigns supreme, knowing the latest deals, trends and risks is critically important. Attendees will leave this session armed with the information you need to know to be prepared for your upcoming round of bargaining.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team
Forest Firefighting - New Staffing Challenges
From chronic shortages, seasonal turnover, burnout, pay gaps, lack of formal training, to bear safety - new staffing challenges are emerging. We'll explore recent experiences and emerging strategies to manage staffing issues regarding wildland firefighting.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team
The Runnymede Healthcare Centre's PTSI Centre of Excellence for First Responders: What You Need to Know
Learn about the Runnymede Healthcare Centre's Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Centre of Excellence for First Responders, the new Ontario initiative for first responders who are affected by work-related trauma and stress.
Presenter(s): Connie Dejak, President and CEO, Runnymede Healthcare Centre
Accommodating Mental Health Issues - Challenges and Strategies
Fire services face unique stressors that affect mental health. As awareness of these issues is growing, fire chiefs may be seeing increasing requirements for accommodating mental health issues. Using recent case law examples, we'll discuss your legal obligations that may arise when working to accommodate mental health concerns, the best practices to keep in mind and specific challenges for fire services.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team
Case Law Update
We'll unpack the latest labour and employment rulings that are shaping the workplace and share practical takeaways you can apply immediately. End the conference with the insider knowledge you need to stay compliant.
Presenter(s): Hicks Morley Team