Ontario Severance

F. v. 818329 Ontario Limited

2003 CanLII 57401 (ON CA)Court of Appeal for OntarioDecided Wrongful dismissal

Wrongful Dismissal: Lifetime vs Indefinite Term Contract

Summary

This is an appeal to the Court of Appeal from a trial judge's decision regarding whether a contractual promise not to dismiss an employee created a lifetime employment guarantee. The employee, a bingo hall manager, sued her employers for wrongful dismissal after being fired despite the contract. The trial judge found the contract guaranteed lifetime employment and awarded $712,000 for lost wages until age 65 and lost lottery ticket profits. The Court of Appeal decided the contract lacked the unequivocal language required to establish a lifetime term, interpreting it instead as an indefinite term contract. The court reduced the award to 12 months' notice and $30,800 in damages, finding the projected lottery profits too remote to include.

Outcome

appeal allowed; 12 months' notice ordered

Award

12 months' notice; damages for lost profits from lottery ticket sales excluded

Key Factors

  • lifetime employment contract
  • indefinite term contract
  • reasonable notice
  • damages calculation
  • foreseeability

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More Ontario employment decisions from 2003

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.