The Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2024 recognizes 26 Mathews Dinsdale lawyers, from coast-to-cost, as leaders in the fields of Labour and Employment Law, Workers' Compensation Law, Employee Benefits Law and Immigration Law.
Jackie Laviolette*
Partner Calgary, T: 403.351.1114 F: 403.538.5049 jlaviolette@mathewsdinsdale.com
Keeley Mantai Assistant 587.329.8248 kmantai@mathewsdinsdale.com
Biography
Law Society of Alberta
Carleton University, B.J. (Hons)
Western University, LL.B. with Distinction
CPHR - Alberta
Calgary Bar Association
Calgary Legal Guidance Volunteer
Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE)
Law Society of Alberta
Jackie has supported employers in all areas of workplace law for over two decades. Jackie represents provincially and federally regulated employers, in both the public and private sectors, and provides strategic advice in managing complex legal situations involving employees and unions. She has extensive experience assisting employers on day-to-day matters in the areas of workplace conflict, labour arbitration, collective bargaining, wrongful dismissals, union certifications and policy development.
Prior to joining the firm, Jackie acted as in-house counsel for the largest unionized employer in Alberta and appeared as lead counsel before Boards of Arbitration, Labour Boards, human rights tribunals and all levels of Court in the province. Her experience as in-house counsel provides the foundation for arming clients with practical solutions that align with the business’s operational goals.
In addition, Jackie is trained in trauma-informed investigations and is frequently retained to conduct independent workplace investigations into allegations of workplace harassment, discrimination, or other employee complaints.
Jackie has served on many volunteer boards throughout Calgary, most recently appointed as a Board of Director to both CPHR Alberta and Sport Calgary. She offers her time as an instructor to the Trial Advocacy program at the University of Calgary and is the past-Chair of the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch, Labour and Employment Section. Jackie is a frequent speaker at various labour and employment conferences and seminars.
* Denotes practicing through a law corporation.
Representative experience
July 2021Arbitrator dismisses policy grievance alleging entitlements for casual employees to return to former full-time position following a trial period. – Counsel
June 2021Application for judicial review of arbitrator’s decision regarding applicable rate of pay for attendance at committee meetings – Counsel
May 2021Application for judicial review at the Court of Appeal on seminal case of family status discrimination (United Nurses of Alberta v. Alberta Health Services, 2021 ABCA 194 (CanLII)
March 2021Application for judicial review of arbitrator’s decision finding the employer had met undue hardship, with the Alberta Labour Relations Board upholding the decision.
August 2020Arbitrator dismissed application of union to bifurcate hearing of post-termination evidence – Counsel
October 2019Arbitrator dismisses termination grievance for employee who did not demonstrate acceptable performance standards – Counsel
Industry recognition
Best Lawyers® in CanadaLabour and Employment Law
Presentations
Back to Work Legislation: Where do we stand?
Jackie Laviolette presented for the CBA Labour and Employment Law Section & the CBA Constitutional and Human Rights Law Section
Attendance Management During COVID-19 and Beyond: What Rules Will Apply in the Hybrid Workplace?
Jackie Laviolette presented for a Lancaster House webinar.
News
Mathews Dinsdale is pleased to announce that Jackie Laviolette has joined the Firm's partnership. Jackie works out of the Firm's office in Calgary AB.
The Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2023 recognizes 24 Mathews Dinsdale lawyers, from coast-to-cost, as leaders in the fields of Labour and Employment Law, Workers' Compensation Law, Education Law, Employee Benefits Law and Immigration Law.
Insights
Federal Labour Board Says It Has No Power to Review Minister’s Order to End Rail Labour Dispute & Orders Binding Arbitration
In response to a direction from the Minister of Labour under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (“Board”) issued an order on August 24, 2024 ending the work stoppage involving Canadian National Railway Company, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Company, and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. The Board also imposed binding arbitration on the parties.
Read moreTribunal Finds No Discrimination Where Job Offer Revoked
In Greidanus v Inter Pipeline Limited, the Human Rights Tribunal of Alberta (the “Tribunal”) determined that an employer did not discriminate against a job candidate by revoking an offer of employment after the job candidate failed a pre-employment drug test.
Read moreResignation or Constructive Dismissal for Non-Compliance with Mask Policy? Alberta Courts Weigh In.
AB Court ruled an employee who was put on an unpaid leave of absence due to refusing to comply with the employer’s mandatory Mask Policy, did not amount to constructive dismissal. Rather, the Court determined that the employee had resigned.
Read moreStep 2 of 3: Alberta Lifts More COVID-19 Public Health Measures
Effective March 1, 2022 Alberta lifted almost all remaining COVID-19 public health restrictions and is officially in “Step 2” of a three-phased approach in moving towards an endemic and out of the pandemic phase.
Read moreArbitrator Rules COVID-19 Pandemic Was A “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Event That Did Not Trigger Layoff/Severance Provisions
This Alberta decision is significant for employers across Canada faced with similar claims related to unforeseeable and unpreventable impacts and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read moreAlberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program Ends: Province Begins to Reopen (Again)
Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program officially ended on February 8, 2022 and Alberta is officially in “Step 1” of a three-phased “Return to Normal” approach.
Read moreCritical Worker Exemption: Select Alberta Employees Can Attend at Work While COVID-19 Positive
Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a new order exempting “critical workers” from Alberta’s public health isolation requirements for work-related purposes.
Read moreEvents
Workplace Investigations: Problems, Pitfalls and Practical Tips
Read moreArticles and Papers
May 3, 2023Alberta bus driver dismissed after ‘hard brake’ puts works at risk
October 3, 2022B.C. worker’s complaint of racial, disability discrimination dismissed
Webinars
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