Ontario Severance

S. v. BMO Nesbitt Burns

2012 ONSC 1825 (CanLII)Ontario Superior Court of JusticeDecided Wrongful dismissal

Wrongful Dismissal: Book of Business Damages & Double Recovery

Summary

This is an interlocutory decision regarding a wrongful dismissal claim where the plaintiff sought leave to amend his statement of claim to include damages for the value of his book of business. The court held that the proposed amendments introduced a new cause of action that was statute-barred under the Limitations Act, 2002, and that awarding such damages alongside pay in lieu of notice would constitute impermissible double recovery. Additionally, the court rejected the argument for a right to working notice, confirming that employees are entitled to pay in lieu of notice rather than a transition period.

Outcome

Leave granted only for unopposed amendments and those consistent with the original claim

Key Factors

  • wrongful dismissal
  • amendments to pleadings
  • double recovery
  • limitations act
  • working notice

Related Cases

P. v. Sky Service F.B.O. Inc.

2026 ONSC 5334 (CanLII) · 2026-09-18

Wrongful Dismissal: Appeal Dismissed as Statute-Barred

The Divisional Court dismissed an appeal from a motion judge's decision granting summary judgment to the employer, ruling that the employee's wrongful dismissal claim was statute-barred. The court applied the Limitations Act, 2002, finding that the limitation period began on the date of dismissal and was not postponed by the claimant's misunderstanding of legal significance or by commencing proceedings in the wrong forum.

B. et al. v. Guycan Ltd.

2026 ONSC 5209 (CanLII) · 2026-09-14

Wrongful Dismissal: Employee Status and Unpaid Commissions

This is a merits decision in a wrongful dismissal case involving an individual who worked through a personal corporation. The court determined the individual was an employee rather than an independent contractor, rejected the claim of constructive dismissal, and found that the individual had resigned. The court awarded damages for unpaid statutory public holiday pay and commissions, but found no entitlement to pay in lieu of reasonable notice.

K. v. Crossbridge Condominium Services Ltd.

2026 ONCA 636 (CanLII) · 2026-09-10

Wrongful Dismissal: Successor Liability & Notice Appeal

This is an appeal from a motion judge's decision granting summary judgment for common law reasonable notice and lost benefits in a wrongful dismissal case involving a building services provider. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, upholding the finding that the incoming provider was deemed an employer under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, and confirming the application of statutory interpretation principles to establish successor liability.

A. v. The Chiefs of Ontario

2026 ONSC 5099 (CanLII) · 2026-09-01

This is a procedural ruling regarding the award of substantial indemnity costs in a dispute involving the Chiefs of Ontario. The court considered whether the conduct of the parties warranted such costs, addressing issues of vexatious conduct by a self-represented litigant and the reasonableness of costs at the preliminary motion stage.

H. v. 1359768 Ontario Inc. (B&B Towing)

2026 ONCA 577 (CanLII) · 2026-08-10

Wrongful Dismissal: Frustration & Company Asset Damages

This is an appeal from a wrongful dismissal decision where the Court of Appeal for Ontario dismissed the appeal regarding the issue of frustration of contract. The court found that the employment contract was not frustrated because the employee's essential duties were accommodable and there was a reasonable likelihood of return to work. Additionally, the court reduced the damages award by disallowing compensation for the loss of use of a company tow truck and cellphone, determining these were work tools rather than perquisites.

More Ontario employment decisions from 2012

This summary was written by AI from the published decision and its headnote. It is not an official version of the decision; read the full text on CanLII before relying on it. This is legal information, not legal advice. Ontario Severance is an educational tool. If you are facing a serious employment law matter, consult with a qualified employment lawyer in Ontario.