Ilija Dimeski - LawyerThe inequality in bargaining power that workers experience has led Ilija to pursue a career where he can help balance the scales of justice by holding employers accountable. As the son of two working class parents, Ilija has an immense passion to fight for workers, in both unionized and non-unionized sectors.
Ilija has successfully litigated before the: [+] Ontario Labour Relations Board [+] Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario [+] Workplace Safety & Insurance Board [+] Ontario Court of Justice [+] Social Benefits Tribunal [+] Criminal Injuries Compensation Board Prior to practicing law, Ilija tirelessly advocated for the fair treatment of employees by representing them at disciplinary meetings, grievance procedures, and in collective bargaining negotiations. In his spare time, Ilija enjoys spending time with his family, camping, carpentry, playing guitar, and riding his motorcycle. He enjoys being a mentor to others and teaches law courses. You can also find him volunteering at the local soup kitchen. His devotion to helping others in the community has been recognized by several institutions, and has received the Volunteer Service Award by the Government of Ontario and the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers by the Governor General of Canada. |
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Megan Quinton - Paralegal
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Megan grew up in a mining community in Northern Ontario giving her an appreciation for workers' rights, especially involving health and safety, mental health and addictions issues, and disability advocacy. She has always sought to work within organizations that hold key principles of standing up for the rights of others, giving deeper meaning to her work. Her clients’ stories are what truly keep her motivated and passionate.
Previously she has been fortunate enough to pursue her passions while working at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, providing legal advice on human rights law in Ontario. She has also worked for multiple community legal clinics and specialty legal clinics, where she has assisted lawyers with casework at various tribunals and provided test case litigation support. In addition to her experiences with legal work, she has worked providing public legal education and advocacy for various groups. In her spare time, Megan enjoys being involved in her community in Timmins, Ontario, by volunteering and attending local events. Giving back and contributing to the community that helped raise and shape her passion is a priority for her. She can often be found spending time with family doing crafts, playing games, and staying active outdoors. |
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Vanessa Morin - Paralegal
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Vanessa is passionate about helping workers assert their rights under the law. Her previous experience working within large corporations has shone a light on the inequities faced by people in the workplace, specifically involving human rights, and the health and safety of injured workers.
Vanessa has experience providing compassionate service to injured workers who find themselves navigating the appeals process with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. She also has experience filing claims with the Small Claims Court and Provincial Offences Court, as well as with tribunals such as the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and the Social Benefits Tribunal. In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with friends and family, and is rarely seen without a crochet project in tow. She holds another personal passion for the importance of physical and mental health. She enjoys being active, preparing healthy nutritious food, and educating people about the small changes they can make to lead healthier lives. |
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Legal Outcomes
EMPLOYMENT LAW CASES
Wrongful Termination
- Claim #0026904-CL000
- Obtained termination pay for a worker who was unable to work due to their disability/illness, despite the employer giving working notice.
- Claim #0010662-CL000
- Obtained termination pay for a worker who engaged in a heated verbal argument with the boss, in which both parties used profanities at each other. It was found that the boss had provoked the worker and as a result the worker's actions were not willful.
- Claim #0008416-CL000
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker twice. The first, due to their employment contract ending earlier as a result of an "administrative error" by the company, the second, due to their employment contract ending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Claim #0008277-CL000
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker whose employment contract was terminated before its expiry.
- Claim #0007516-CL000
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker who was terminated for allegedly violating a Company Policy on COVID-19. The Ministry of Labour found that the COVID-19 Company Policy was unenforceable as it attempted to control what a worker would be doing while off-duty.
- Claim #0003450-CL000
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker who was terminated from their employment after not attending their scheduled shift. Made successful submissions for claim to be processed despite being filed beyond the 2 year statutory limitation period.
- Claim #70221579-7
- Obtained termination pay on behalf of a worker who was terminated from their employment after missing 45 days of work.
- Claim #0007888-CL000
- Obtained unpaid wages on behalf of a worker whose employer unlawfully deducted more time for break/lunch time from the worker's total hours. In addition, successfully obtained holiday pay and vacation pay.
- Claims #0006582-CL000, 0008257‐CL000, 0007268‐CL000, 0007063‐CL000, 0008277-CL000
- Successfully obtained holiday pay and vacation pay on behalf of workers
- Claim #70221579-7
- Successfully obtained holiday pay on behalf of a worker.
HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CASES
Sexual Harassment (Gender) Discrimination
- 2021 HRTO 79 (CanLII)
- Successfully litigated at the Human Rights Tribunal on four procedural issues. Persuaded the Tribunal to admit an audio recording as evidence and ensured that the personal respondent not be removed as a party in a case involving discrimination and sexual harassment.
- 2020 HRTO 720 (CanLII)
- Representing an injured worker at the Human Rights Tribunal
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY LAW CASES
Reprisal for Raising Health & Safety Concerns
- 2021 CanLII 39057 (ON LRB)
- Represented a worker before the Ontario Labour Relations Board claiming reprisal for bringing up health and safety concerns in the workplace. Successfully litigated in achieving a finding that substituted the penalty of termination under s.50(7) of OHSA. The Board also took judicial notice that exposure to isopropyl alcohol can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and skin.
WSIB (WORKERS' COMPENSATION) LAW CASES
Loss of Earnings Benefits
- Claim #31466857
- Successfully argued entitlement to WSIB loss of earnings benefits at the Appeals Services Division against an employer’s arguments that a worker ought to have been denied because they were involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVR) prior to the workplace injury. The WSIB found in favour of the worker, ruling that there was no pre-existing condition that contributed to the workplace accident and as a result the worker kept their entitlement to WSIB benefits.
- Claim #31787909
- Represented an injured worker before the WSIB after he injured his hands while at work. Successfully obtained full loss of earnings benefits and health care.
PUBLIC INTEREST LAW CASES
R. v. Desbiens
- Successfully litigated before the Ontario Court of Justice achieving a 'not guilty' verdict for a woman who was charged with assault after defending herself from her ex-boyfriend.
- Successfully litigated a reinstatement of social assistance and significant reduction of over-payment before the Social Benefits Tribunal.
- Successfully litigated before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and secured an award close to the statutory maximum at the time ($25,000) on behalf of a victim of childhood sexual and physical abuse.
Note: Past results are not indicative of future results and the amount recovered and outcomes will vary according to the facts in individual cases.