HRPA Meeting Details

Andy practices in the area of employment and labour law, representing large, mid-sized and small businesses and corporations, as well as senior level executives. He regularly advises and represents clients in a wide variety of industries, including hospitality, construction, manufacturing, information technology, financial services and transportation. Andy has appeared as litigation counsel before the Ontario Courts at all levels on wrongful dismissal matters, injunctive proceedings, and occupational health and safety prosecutions. He has also represented numerous employer clients before arbitrators, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Tribunal, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and the Privacy Commissioner’s office. Andy has extensive experience acting for corporate clients on a wide range of human resource issues, including drafting employment and contractor agreements, advising on employee discipline and dismissal, negotiating severance packages, preparing workplace policies, conducting workplace investigations, advising on privacy obligations and obligations of departing employees, and assisting employers with their statutory obligations pursuant to the Employment Standards Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. He regularly assists corporate counsel with respect to workplace law issues arising from corporate transactions, restructurings and insolvencies. Andy also provides ongoing guidance to employers as they deal with matters related to union organizing, collective agreement interpretations and grievance arbitration. He uses a proactive and practical approach in assisting clients to resolve workplace disputes in an efficient manner. Andy also has experience conducting third party investigations, and has recent expertise advising organizations on CASL obligations and compliance with privacy-related statutes.

Jeffrey’s practice focuses on commercial and employment litigation, representing private sector employer clients, manufacturing and engineering companies, Ontario-based entrepreneurs, national and multi-national corporations and non-profit organizations. He has appeared before all levels of Ontario courts, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal. He has also appeared before various administrative tribunals, including the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and the Ontario Labour Relations Board. Jeffrey has significant expertise defending automotive manufacturers and architectural and engineering firms from product liability and professional negligence claims, including considerable trial and appellate experience. He has also defended public and private sectorentities on Construction Act trust claims. Jeffrey has also acted in defamation (libel and slander) matters, estates litigation, as well as injunctive proceedings such as Mareva Injunctions and Anton Piller Orders.

Her practice focuses on employment law, administrative law, workplace investigations, management training, and privacy law. Maria serves as privacy officer for the firm. She regularly advises clients on a wide range of employment-related issues, including terminations, disciplinary matters, sexual harassment, human rights concerns, employment contracts, restrictive covenants, and workplace policies. Maria delivers customized management seminars and training programs to leadership teams, management, and staff on employment related topics. To protect businesses from potential liability, she also conducts privacy and policy audits to ensure they comply with workplace laws and engage in best management practices. As a certified workplace investigator, Maria can be retained as an impartial, third-party investigator to conduct efficient, sensitive, and objective investigations into workplace misconduct. These include breaches of workplace policy, allegations of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, or discrimination. She is also available to provide legal advice and guidance to employers and human resources professionals conducting their own internal investigations. With extensive experience as a civil litigator and adjudicator, Maria presided over hearings involving a broad range of matters in both the private and public sector. For five years she was the chair and lead adjudicator of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, an adjudicative tribunal. She was also a vice-chair of several other tribunals in Ontario, including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Landlord Tenant Board, Social Benefits Tribunal, and Licence Appeal Tribunal. A seasoned adjudicator, Maria has wide-ranging experience eliciting evidence, questioning parties, maintaining confidentiality, and protecting the privacy interests of all parties. She has adjudicated a multitude of claims involving criminal harassment, sexual assault, physical violence, threats, internet crimes, and human trafficking in a fair and impartial manner. Maria understands the importance of procedural fairness and natural justice. Respectful of social and cultural differences, she acts in a manner that promotes an appreciation for diversity. She has engaged in meaningful outreach and public consultations strengthening stakeholder relations among government agencies, police services, advocacy organizations and the Ombudsman’s office. She also has experience protecting personal and sensitive information and dealing with third-party requests for information as the designated head of an institution pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

A strategic Human Resources Leader with a proactive and human-centric approach to creating collaborative environments that nurture high performance, employee engagement, growth and sustainability With over twenty years of progressive Human Resources experience, Sandra has played a key leadership role in advocating People and Culture strategies that redefined the relationships between organizational stakeholders. In environments of labour unrest and markets where fierce competition for top talent threatened operational efficiency, she has introduced respect-based solutions that ensure delivery of critical HR services aligned with the business’ strategic framework.

Igor Klibanov is one of Ontario’s most sought-after wellness speakers, having done over 400 presentations for some of Canada’s largest corporations, including RBC, IBM, Bosch, and HRPA (Toronto, York Region and Barrie chapters). As well, he is the author of 6 different books on exercise and nutrition, including STOP EXERCISING! The Way You Are Doing it Now, The Mental Health Prescription, and High Blood Pressure Reversal Secrets. He runs one of Toronto’s premier personal training companies, Fitness Solutions Plus, helping busy professionals with their health and fitness.