Department profile
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Employment & Labour

Canada Guide 2026 : Ontario

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Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

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About

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Osler’s Employment and Labour Department delivers clear, business-practical and results-oriented legal advice on all aspects of employment and labour law. They offer strong, effective representation where workplace disputes arise and valuable insight into the best way to establish and implement realistic and reliable employment and labour practices. The team understands the important connection between employment law and other areas of practice, such as privacy, M&A, technology and cross-border trade, which means clients receive the full complement of services they require when engaging Osler.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment & Labour - Ontario

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's employment department advises a range of regional, national and international clients from various sectors, including software, manufacturing, retail and food and drink. Lawyers from its Toronto and Ottawa offices regularly assist employers with workplace investigations, severance and compensation arrangements and employment-related litigation. The team is noted for its experience advising on employment and labour issues stemming from corporate transactions and internal restructurings, including workforce reductions.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt advised Canadian Tire on several employment law-related matters, including defending a human rights claim and on workplace investigations.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team is renowned for delivering thorough, business-minded advice that not only addresses immediate legal needs but also aligns with clients' long-term goals.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

  • The department distinguishes itself by its responsiveness to urgent needs and by offering practical advice and insight into industry standards.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

  • Osler has a national presence and a diverse bench of subject matter experts.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

  • Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's experience is exemplary.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

  • The firm is highly pragmatic. They will jump straight to a very practical answer that aligns with our risk tolerance.

    Employment & Labour respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Allan C Wells
    Allan C Wells

    Allan C Wells

    Allan Wells sits in Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto office and is chair of its employment and labour department. He often acts for clients on the employment aspects of corporate restructurings, and also regularly represents employers before the Ontario Labour Relations Board. His experience also includes advising on wrongful dismissal claims and executive terminations.

    • Allan provides excellent, practical and commercially relevant advice.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • I highly recommend Allan as an exceptionally skilled labour lawyer, whose expertise and dedication have consistently yielded outstanding results.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • I regularly recommend Allan to my peers at other companies. He is always quick to respond and discusses things in a language that I understand. I trust him explicitly and highly value his advice.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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  • Sven Poysa
    Sven Poysa

    Sven Poysa

    Sven Poysa is recognised for his work on the labour and employment aspects of company restructurings, having advised on several high-profile insolvency matters in Ontario. He has further capabilities in grievance arbitrations and executive terminations and also demonstrates strength in health and safety and employee benefits disputes.

    • Sven is my go-to partner when I have Canadian questions.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Sven is constantly impressing with his pragmatic approach to legal advice. He gets straight to what matters and offers creative solutions that align well with our risk tolerance.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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  • Kelly O'Ferrall
    Kelly O'Ferrall

    Kelly O'Ferrall

    Kelly O'Ferrall splits her time between Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto and Ottawa offices. She assists clients with employment matters arising from transactions as well as executive employment contracts and remuneration and dismissal issues.

    • Kelly is really good at applying business sense.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Kelly is both strategic and tactical, has a good risk tolerance and knows where to push. She's very objective in her advice and knows the players in the market.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • She brings an exceptional depth of knowledge of our organisation to every issue we bring forward. She completes work to an extremely high level.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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  • Steven Dickie
    Steven Dickie

    Steven Dickie

    Steven Dickie is based in Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto office and assists with employment disputes, including in collective bargaining as well as mass dismissal matters.

    • Steve is an excellent lawyer who is able to handle any matter we encounter. He is practical and has high awareness of our company's risk profile and industry trends.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Steve is very knowledgeable and a trusted adviser to me.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • He is pragmatic and provides sound points for arguments. He is knowledgeable in practical application of laws and regulations and extremely easy to work with.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Steven is incredibly knowledgeable, practical and a savvy navigator of employment law.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Steven's responsiveness, command of the law and practical advice are of the utmost importance. He exceeds my expectations time and time again.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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  • Diana Holloway
    Diana Holloway

    Diana Holloway

    Diana Holloway is an associate in Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt's Toronto office, who frequently assists with a wide range of employment mandates.

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  • Summer Danakas
    Summer Danakas

    Summer Danakas

    Summer Danakas is an associate based in Osler's Toronto office. She advises employers on matters including executive compensation and wrongful dismissal claims.

    • She is an outstanding lawyer and manages many of our matters with exceptional skill and expertise.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada

    • Summer is responsive, pragmatic and succinct.

      Employment & Labour respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (6)

Ontario

Members

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

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