Designed as a deeper learning experience for all professionals, certificates are intensive, practice-based programs taught by faculty with real-world experience.
Labour Law
Program Director
John D.R. Craig
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Eligible for
Osgoode’s two-time award-winning Labour Law certificate returns in February 2026!
Labour Law is complex and highly technical. For the inexperienced, it can be daunting, and mistakes may have long-term and costly implications. Whether you are an employer, employee or an advisor, it is imperative that you are able to see the big picture.
Now in its 15th year, the award-winning Osgoode Certificate in Labour Law remains the go-to program for navigating this complex and ever-evolving field. Hear directly from leading voices in management, unions, and government as they break down key issues and tackle today’s most pressing workplace challenges. Don’t miss this essential learning opportunity!
Registration includes 120-day unlimited, online access to the recorded program.
What You’ll Learn
Comprehensive overview of the statutory and regulatory regimes, including union organizing and applications for certification
Understanding collective bargaining models, rights and public vs. private sector bargaining
How to protect rights and resolve conflicts in grievance arbitration
Restructuring unionized environments
Tools and strategies for conducting workplace investigations in unionized settings
The law of industrial conflict, including lockouts and back-to-work legislation
Obligations and strategies for protecting privacy in the workplace
Who Should Attend
VPs, Directors and Managers of Labour Relations
VPs, Directors and Managers of Human Resources
Union Presidents, Officials, Business Agents, Stewards and Committee Members
In-House Counsel
Lawyers in Private Practice
Labour Relations Consultants
Mediators, Arbitrators and Conciliators
Government Representatives
Faculty
Program Director
John D.R. Craig
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Advisory Board
Diane Gee
Labour and Employment Mediator and Arbitrator
Donald B. Jarvis
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Brian G. Johnston, K.C.
Stewart McKelvey (Halifax, N.S.)
Caroline (Nini) V. Jones
Jones Pearce LLP
Instructors
Sharan K. Basran
Chief Legal Officer, Counsel, Ontario Nurses’ Association
Keith P. Burkhardt
Sherrard Kuzz LLP
Amanda P. Cohen
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
John D.R. Craig
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Donald K. Eady
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
Katherine Ferreira
Koskie Minsky LLP
Sundeep A. Gokhale
Sherrard Kuzz LLP
Professor Rafael Gomez
Director of the Centre of Industrial Relations and Human Resources, University of Toronto
Aminah Hanif
Cavalluzzo LLP
Donald B. Jarvis
Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP
Michael J. Kennedy
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Mathias Link
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Madeleine L.S. Loewenberg
Loewenberg Psarris Workplace Law LLP
Jodi Martin
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
Brendan McCutchen
Wright Henry LLP
Joseph K. Morrison
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Julia M. Nanos
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Ted Panagiotoulias
Seabrook Workplace law
Lauren Pearce
Jones Pearce LLP
Christopher Pigott
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Michael S. Richards
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
Natasha Savoline
Bernardi Human Resource Law LLP
Kate Shao
Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
Krista Siedlak
Turnpenney Milne LLP
Jordan D. Simon
Ogletree Deakins
Jennifer Smith
Principle Consultant, Emerald HR
“This program is a must for anyone in the labour relations field. I learned a lot that I can immediately apply in my day-to-day role. The learning platform is easy to navigate. Participants have access to the best instructors in the field, and there is a balance between union and employer perspectives, which was appreciated. I would absolutely recommend this program.”
Agenda
Please Note
The information below is from the 2025 iteration of this certificate. A detailed agenda for the upcoming program will be available soon.
Overview of the Statutory and Regulatory Regime
Main elements (e.g. certification, negotiation, contents and operations of collective agreements, termination of bargaining rights, successor rights)
Employees, independent contractors, employers and unions
Key labour law statutes
The constitutional framework
Division of powers: Federally vs. provincially‑regulated employers
Union Organizing and Applications for Certification
Union density statistics: where is unionization increasing or decreasing?
Union organization in the construction sector
Unfair labour practices, including automatic certification
Remedies for unfair labour practices
Interim relief
Vote vs. card‑based certification systems
Displacement applications
Termination applications
Decertification processes
Impact of COVID-19 on Labour Law
Faculty John D.R. Craig, Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP Sundeep Gokhale, Sherrard Kuzz LLP Brendan McCutchen,Wright Henry LLP Christopher Pigott, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Ted Panagiotoulias,Seabrook Workplace Law
First contract arbitration
Public sector vs. private sector bargaining
Overview of different models of collective bargaining in Ontario
Single employer/single union (e.g. university sector)
Voluntary multi‑employer/union by union (e.g. hospital sector)
Central bargaining by type of employee (e.g. colleges)
Co‑ordinated bargaining (e.g. emergency services)
Province‑wide bargaining (e.g., construction)
The important of pay equity in collective bargaining
The role of government in collective bargaining
When collective bargaining fails: dispute resolution models
Faculty John D.R. Craig,Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP Keith P. Burkhardt,Sherrard Kuzz LLP Katherine Ferreira, Koskie Minsky LLP Jodi Martin, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP Julia M. Nanos,Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Overview of the grievance and arbitration system in Ontario
S. 49 of the Labour Relations Act: referral of grievance to a single arbitrator
Jurisdiction of arbitrators
S. 133 of the LRA: referral of grievances to the Ontario Labour Relations Board
Emerging models of grievance arbitration: e.g. PWU and OPG expedited systems
Litigating human rights claims at arbitration
Arbitration vs. mediation
Is the arbitration process dysfunctional? If so, what reforms are possible?
Faculty Amanda P. Cohen,Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP Prof. Rafael Gomez, Director of the Centre of Industrial Relations and Human Resources, University of Toronto Michael J. Kennedy, Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP Madeleine L.S. Loewenberg,Loewenberg Psarris Workplace Law LLP Lauren Pearce,Jones Pearce LLP Kate Shao,Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP Jordan D. Simon,Ogletree Deakins
The role and parameters of the union in a workplace investigation
Is there a right to union representation?
What are the parameters of involvement for a union in the investigative process?
The union’s duties throughout the investigation
Best means of balancing competing interests within the bargaining unit
Role of the Ministry of Labour: the relationship between workplace and Ministry investigations
The investigative process
Tips for pre‑screening complaints
Objectives of the investigation
Role of advisors
Use of experts
Role of the investigator
Preparing an investigation plan
Surveillance
Interviewing
Listening skills
How to handle difficult witnesses
The right questions
Confidentiality and privacy issues
Internal biases
Off‑the‑record statements
Making a finding and preparing a report
Assessing credibility
Burden of proof
Similar fact evidence
Post‑investigation considerations
Remedies to consider
What if the complaint is malicious?
Preventing retaliation and further incidents
Litigation
What aspects of an investigation might an employer be ordered to produce if the issue goes to arbitration?
Faculty Sharan K. Basran,Chief legal Officer, Counsel, Ontario Nurses’ Association Mathias Link,Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Natasha Savoline,Bernardi Human Resource Law LLP Krista Siedlak,Turnpenney Milne LLP Michael S. Richards,DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
Restructuring Unionized Environments
Sale of a business
Related employers
Sale of a business involving the Crown
Sale or transfer involving employers in two different jurisdictions
The Law of Industrial Conflict
Cease‑and‑desist applications
Labour dispute injunctions under the Courts of Justice Act
Use of back‑to‑work legislation
Right to strike/lockout
Picketing: Charter protection and limits
Workplace Privacy
Origins of the right to privacy
Key workplace privacy issues today
Privacy in arbitration
Faculty John D.R. Craig, Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP Donald K. Eady, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP Aminah Hanif,Cavalluzzo LLP Donald B. Jarvis, Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP Joseph K. Morrison,Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
Newly licensed regulated professionals within the past 2 years receive 50% off the regular program fee.
Time
February 18, 2026
9:00 a.m – 4:30 p.m (ET)
February 25, 2026
9:00 a.m – 4:30 p.m (ET)
March 4, 2026
9:00 a.m – 4:30 p.m (ET)
March 11, 2026
9:00 a.m – 4:30 p.m (ET)
March 25, 2026
9:00 a.m – 4:30 p.m (ET)
Substitution of registrants is permitted prior to the start date of the program. If you are unable to find a substitute, a full refund is available if a cancellation request is received in writing 21 days prior to the start of the program. If a cancellation request is made with less than 21 days notice, a $250 administrative fee will apply per person. Within 7 days of the program start date, no refund is available. Payment is required to receive access to the program.
We will make every effort to present the program as advertised, but it may be necessary to change the date, location, speakers or content with little or no notice. In the event of program cancellation, York University’s and Osgoode Hall Law School’s liability is limited to reimbursement of paid fees.
As law evolves, we know how important it is to stay up to date. We also understand the financial implications of continuously upgrading your professional skills and knowledge. For more information on available options, including Job Grants, OSAP, please visit:
To receive an Osgoode Certificate, you must view all program modules (either live or archived) and successfully complete an online assessment by April 22, 2026.
Eric Maxemuck
Health, Safety & Environmental Manager, Archer Daniels Midland Company
“This is a very well-presented program which not only provides a high- level overview of labour law fundamentals but also allows you to interact with expert professionals who “live” in this sector. I recommend the program to anyone who deals with labour challenges on a daily basis. A big thank you to John Craig and all of the wonderful speakers over the weeks, a fantastic job. I look forward to future Osgoode programs.”
CPD and Accreditation
OsgoodePD is an accredited provider with the LSO, the Law Society of BC and NY CLE Board. Select your location to view the eligible hours you may claim.
Are you a law graduate or an executive/senior professional with at least 5 years of specialized experience? Consider a full-time or part-time LLM degree.
Labour and Employment Law
Students typically complete the LLM in two years (6 terms).
Do you have an LLB/JD? Consider taking a single LLM course for deeper learning in a specific area of practice – all credits will apply towards a Professional LLM.
Unfortunately, no. Effective for all 2019 filings and subsequent years moving forward, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has replaced T2202A’s with the T2202. Under the new CRA definition and criteria, our CLE short courses and certificate programs do not meet the definition of ‘qualifying educational program’. For this reason, we are unable to issue you a T2202. For more information, please visit the CRA site.
Program pages and brochures will include specific information including key dates, or see our Refunds & Cancellation Policies page.
Once a program reaches capacity, a waitlist will be created. This does not guarantee your registration in the program; however, it places you on a priority contact list. If any spots become available, you may be notified by email or phone to confirm if you would like to proceed with the registration. Once contacted, you will typically be given 24 hours to confirm your interest. If you do not confirm interest within the provided timeframe, you will be removed from the waitlist and the next person will be contacted.
A selection of our Certificates are eligible for OSAP funding.
Please note the following exceptions that may affect OSAP funding eligibility for our certificates:
Students receiving Second Career funding for a micro-credential during their study period are ineligible;
Although grants will not be converted to loans, a grant may become repayable if a student withdraws, is determined to be overpaid in grant funding, or income cannot be verified within one year;
A student cannot receive OSAP for micro-credential assistance for their study period if it overlaps with another micro-credential study period in which they are concurrently receiving OSAP for micro-credential funding. However, students may overlap their micro-credential study period with a study period that is part of a different full- or part-time program that they are concurrently receiving funding for through Full-Time OSAP or Part-Time OSAP, provided that OSAP funding was not assessed for the micro-credential course(s) through a Full-Time or Part-Time OSAP application.
NOTE: In order to obtain access to the program, full payment is required at least 1 business day prior to the first module of the program.
Job Grants
The Canada-Ontario Job grant may be applicable to employers seeking to train their staff. To find out if your organization is eligible for the grant and the program you wish to enrol in qualifies, visit: The MTCU Canada-Ontario Job Grant page
Many of our programs include 120-day unlimited, online access to view the recorded program. See the program page or brochure to find out if the program you’re interested in includes this access. If you need more time to view the content, or have questions about the access, please email: OPDSupport@osgoode.yorku.ca.
Our programs are typically offered once annually, around the same time each year; however, there are a few exceptions where certain programs are offered multiple times throughout the year (i.e. The Certificate in Adjudication). To receive updates on all our new and upcoming program offerings, please click here to subscribe to our email list.
If the program includes access to the recording, you will have unlimited online access to the recorded content for 120-days from the end date of the program.
Access is only for the registered delegate. In the event of misuse, access can be revoked.
CPD hours for each program can be found on the program web page and program brochure. For questions regarding CPD hours, please email cpd@osgoode.yorku.ca
A limited amount of financial assistance is available for OsgoodePD Programs unless specific bursary information appears on the program page/program brochure. Head to our Financial Assistance page for more information.
Yes. We do offer group rates on our programs. Please visit our group rate page for more information. Some exceptions apply, and rates are subject to change.
Our Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs, ranging from one-hour briefings to more intensive certificate programs, are for all professionals. There are no general prerequisites for these programs; however, individual programs often have specific requirements to register. These are noted on individual program pages and .pdf brochures.
