This post was written prior to our January 2017 merger, under our previous firm name, MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP.
On May 16, 2014, MLT’s Leah Schatz and Robert Frost-Hinz represented seven Saskatchewan Health Authorities before the Supreme Court of Canada in an Appeal by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (“SFL”) concerning the constitutionality of The Public Sector Essential Services Act (“PSESA”) and amendments to The Trade Union Act. The SFL and Interveners supporting its position claim that PSESA is unconstitutional as a violation of the Unions’ right to strike, which they claim is protected under the section 2(d) Charter guarantee of freedom of association. To date there has been no ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada to this effect. There were in total 24 Inteveners to the matter, including the Provincial Health Authorities, the only employers granted Intervener Status. A decision is expected in the fall of 2014.