News & Publications
Aphria Inc.
On January 14, 2019, Siskinds filed a proposed class proceeding in Ontario against Aphria Inc. (“Aphria”), Aphria’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Victor Neufeld, and Aphria’s Chief Financial Officer Carl Merton (the “Action”). Siskinds is counsel to the Plaintiff in the Action. Siskinds is prosecuting the Action in cooperation with Koskie Minsky LLP, which is counsel to the plaintiff in a related class action. The Action alleges that persons who acquired Aphria sh...
Putting Short Sellers on a (Regulatory) Leash
Traditional investors buy low and sell high, holding the position in the meantime with the hope that the share price will increase. Short-selling inverts this strategy and involves borrowing a stock that is believed to be overvalued, selling at the high point, and then returning the shares once the price drops. Basically, borrow high, replace low and pocket the difference. Typically, the shares are loaned out by large institutional investors such as pension funds, who collect a small fee p...
Affordable Housing and the Planning Act Authority for Parkland Dedication and Cash-in-Lieu
“You can neither lie to a neighbourhood park, nor reason with it. ‘Artists conceptions’ and persuasive renderings can put pictures of life into proposed neighbourhood parks or parks malls, and verbal rationalizations can conjure up users who ought to appreciate them, but in real life only diverse surroundings have the practical power of inducing a natural, continuing flow of life and use.” -Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities There is no question that parks and pub...
Peter Dillon comments on Canadian coffee giant and franchisee group potential settlement
Franchise lawyer Peter Dillon recently spoke with Advocate Daily about a Canadian coffee giant and frustrated franchisees that appear to be close to reaching a settlement in two class action lawsuits. Click here to view the full article
Verbal References: The Truth Shall Set You Free
Some employers are wary about providing references for former employees, fearing a defamation lawsuit. However, a recent decision of the Divisional Court suggests that negative references that are substantially true and provided without malice may not be defamatory. In the trial decision of Papp v Stokes et al, 2017 ONSC 2357, the plaintiff brought a claim for wrongful dismissal and defamation against his former employer. The plaintiff’s employment was terminated on December 19, 2013 and th...
Sidewalks: Do you have to shovel them?
Most homeowners are aware that they do not own the sidewalk that surrounds their property – the municipality does. But as winter sets in and snow starts to fall, what does this mean for you? Generally speaking, homeowners are not legally responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks surrounding their property. As the owner of the sidewalk, the municipality is ultimately liable under Ontario’s Occupiers’ Liability Act[1] for any injuries that occur as a result of hazards, such as ice and ...
Why Failing to Immediately Disclose a Litigation Agreement in Multi-Party Litigation is Dangerous and Costly
Summary Litigation agreements in multi-party litigation are required to be immediately disclosed to the other parties in the litigation (“Other Parties”). A litigation agreement is broadly defined as an agreement that has the effect of changing the adversarial position of the parties set out in their pleadings into a co-operative one.[1] Failure to immediately disclose a litigation agreement introduces risk that the action against some/all of the Other Parties could be permanently stayed...
Bosch
On March 29, 2016 Siskinds, together with co-counsel, commenced an action against Robert Bosch GMBH (“Bosch”). In the action, it is alleged that Bosch manufactured and installed defeat devices in certain diesel vehicles to render inoperative elements of their emissions control system. The action seeks damages on behalf of people that own/owned and/or lease/leased the affected vehicles, which include: Volkswagen Jetta (2009-2015); Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (2009); Volkswagen Golf (2010-2013,...
Employers: Post and Distribute the Updated ESA Poster
Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”), employers must post a copy of the most recent employment standards poster (“ESA Poster”) prepared by the Ministry of Labour in a “conspicuous place” in the workplace. The Ministry of Labour has just released a new version of the ESA Poster, which you can view/print at this link.[1] In addition to posting the updated ESA Poster in a conspicuous place, employers must print it, in colour or black and white, on paper that is at least 8...
Year in Review – Umbrella Purchasers
Overview Over the last several years, the Ontario and British Columbia courts have grappled with significant issues affecting the scope and viability of price-fixing class actions. One of these issues is whether “umbrella purchasers” have a cause of action in a price-fixing conspiracy class action. Umbrella purchasers are people who purchased the relevant product from a company that was not involved in the alleged conspiracy. The theory behind the inclusion of umbrella purchasers is that...