John Illingworth
Partner Toronto, T: 416.869.8557 C: 416.305.8029 F: 416.862.8247 jIllingworth@mathewsdinsdale.com
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Geeta Persaud Assistant 416.862.8280 x282 gpersaud@mathewsdinsdale.com
Biography
Bar admission
Law Society of Ontario
Education
Osgoode Hall Law School, LL.B.
York University, B.F.A. (Hons)
Membership and affiliations
American Bar Association
Canadian Bar Association
Ontario Bar Association
Profile
John Illingworth is a Partner in our Toronto office. His practice includes a broad range of labour and employment issues, with a special focus on workers’ compensation, occupational health and safety, and labour relations
John routinely works with employers to address the challenges of managing a safe workplace. He has assisted clients in developing safety programs, drug and alcohol testing protocols, and conducting investigations. He defends companies and supervisors charged with OHS offences, and has extensive experience with workers’ compensation appeals, cost transfer applications, and right of action applications.
John has appeared at all levels of court and represents clients at various administrative tribunals across Canada, including workers’ compensation boards, coroner’s inquests, labour relations boards, grievance arbitrations, and human rights tribunals.
John has spoken on various safety topics throughout Canada and the United States, and has been recognized as one of Canada’s leading lawyers in workplace safety by Best Lawyers in Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.
John is the president of the Kitchener Waterloo Youth Basketball Association, and was recently privileged to accept on the club’s behalf the Canada 150 award for its contributions to youth sports in Canada.
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Representative experience
Defended blasting and drilling company on charges relating to underground mining practices, resulting in fatalities
Represented solar farm on appeal relating to safe installation of solar panels; Gil & Sons Limited, 2012 CanLII 17123 (ON LRB)
Represented employer on discipline of employee due to violent threat made to co-worker; Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Local 1178 v Hood Packaging Corporation, 2013 CanLII 35534 (ON LA)
Represented employer on discharge of union representative due to threatening and insubordinate behavior; JD Norman Industries v Unifor, Local 195, 2014 CanLII 81690 (ON LA)
Successfully obtained request for reconsideration on use of evidence in status dispute on application for certification; Kenmore Developments Waterloo Inc., 2016 CanLII 66683 (ON LRB)
Defended employer on allegations of bargaining in bad faith arising from plant closure; Navistar Canada Inc., 2015 CanLII 16341 (ON LRB)
Represented employer at coroner’s inquest regarding collapse of material in a mine
Represented employer at coroner’s inquest regarding mining fatality
Represented constructor on coroner’s inquest arising from collapse of forming panels during construction of a parkway
Defended manufacturer on charges relating to safe use of mobile equipment, resulting in critical injury
Defended drilling company on charges relating to workplace travel methods, resulting in fatality
Defended home builder on charges relating to safe work practices of sub-contractor, resulting in critical injury
Defended electrical contractor on charges relating to supervision and lock out procedures, resulting in critical injury
Defended manufacturer on charges relating to safe means of communication in foundry, resulting in fatality
Defended building owner on charges relating to carbon monoxide, resulting in fatality
Defended transportation company on charges relating to material handling, resulting in fatality
Defended construction company on charges relating to supervision and appropriate personal protective equipment, resulting in fatality
Defended constructor on charges relating to signaling responsibilities, resulting in fatality
Represented employer on application of the rule in Browne and Dunn; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Local Union 1891 v. Power Drywall Inc., 2011 CanLII 15323 (ON LRB)
Industry recognition
Best Lawyers® in CanadaWorkers’ Compensation Law
Canadian Legal Lexpert DirectoryWorkers’ Compensation Law
Canadian Legal Lexpert DirectoryOccupational Health and Safety
Presentations
February 2020
Labour and Employment
John was part of the Labour and Employment Panel at the 2020 BLSA Canada Conference – Quebec City
October 2017
Ending Sexual Harassment and Abuse – Complying with the Requirements of Bill 132
John presented at the Lancaster House 2017 Health and Safety Conference – Toronto
October 2017
Effective Anti-Harassment Programs and Investigations
John presented at the Lancaster House 2017 Health and Safety Conference – Toronto
September 2017
Workplace Harassment – It’s Not All About Sex!
John presented at the CSSE 2017 Professional Development Conference – Halifax
December 2016
Rooting Out Bad Apples
John presented at the Lancaster House 2016 Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference – Toronto
November 2016
Employment Law Developments
John presented at the Hamilton Law Association Employment Law Seminar – Hamilton
September 2016
Fatalities in the Workplace – Expectations of a Safety Professional
John presented at the CSSE 2016 Professional Development Conference – Vancouver
News
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