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Loretta Bouwmeester*
Partner Calgary, Vancouver, T: 403.538.5042 F: 403.538.5049 lbouwmeester@mathewsdinsdale.com
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Tonya Pauw Assistant 403.538.5041 x344 tpauw@mathewsdinsdale.com
Biography
Bar admission
Law Society of Alberta
Law Society of British Columbia
Law Society of the Northwest Territories
Education
University of Alberta, LL.B.
University of Manitoba, B.A. (Hons.) (Political Studies)
York University, M.A. (Political Science)
Membership and affiliations
Calgary Bar Association
Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers
Canadian Bar Association
Canadian Society of Safety Engineering
Law Societies of Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories
The Advocates’ Society
Profile
Loretta is a well-rounded, versatile, practical and decisive workplace law lawyer. She is a partner in our Employment, Labour, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Workers’ Compensation practices. Prior to joining the firm, Loretta worked at other National law firms in addition to working in-house as the Manager of Legal Services and Corporate Policy with a municipality on a broad range of issues. She brings the benefits of this experience to her clients when working with them to both resolve disputes and in proactive strategic planning and risk management initiatives
Loretta has defended employers and prime contractors in regulatory proceedings and appeared before all levels of Court in Alberta, in addition to the Labour Relations Board. She is effective advising on national, provincial and federal compliance initiatives (including for employment, labour, human rights, privacy and OHS programs) and both carrying out and directing/overseeing workplace investigations. Loretta has had H2S Alive and WHMIS training, which enables her to rapidly access sour gas and other oil and gas facilities and has been repeatedly listed as a leading occupational health and safety practitioner in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. She is also recognized as a Best Lawyer for WCB. She frequently speaks at professional conferences and in house training sessions, has been published in national publications such as Canadian Occupational Safety and is a co-Author of LexisNexis’ Disability Management Compliance Manual.
* Denotes practicing through a law corporation.
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Representative experience
Loretta has defended employers, prime contractors and suppliers in OHS regulatory matters and litigated on behalf of employers in $1 million plus files. She has represented aboriginal bands and worked with the federal, provincial (AB), territorial, and a municipal government.
Industry recognition
Best Lawyers® in CanadaWorkers’ Compensation Law
Canadian Legal Lexpert DirectoryOccupational Health & Safety
Canadian OH&S MagazineReaders Choice Award
Presentations
December 2019
OHS Year in Review 2019
Loretta Bouwmeester presented at the Canadian Bar Association, Labour and Employment Section South, Calgary.
October 2019
Fitness for Duty Discussion
Loretta Bouwmeester presented as part of an expert panel at the DriverCheck Fitness for Duty Summit, Edmonton
September 2019
OHS Session: Deep in the Trenches: Practical Tips in Defending OHS Charges
Loretta Bouwmeester presented as part of an expert panel at the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE) Conference, Ottawa.
March 2019
OHS Year in Review 2018
Loretta Bouwmeester presented at the Canadian Bar Association, Labour and Employment Section South, Calgary.
February 2019
Fitness For Duty – What It Is and Why It Matters
Loretta Bouwmeester presented for a Client presentation in Calgary
November 2018
Effectively Managing Team Member Performance
Loretta Bouwmeester presented at the Law Firm Management and Leadership Section – South at the Canadian Bar Association, Calgary
June 2018
Workplace Harassment and Bullying
Loretta Bouwmeester presented for a Client presentation in Edmonton
June 2018
Marijuana at Work – Implications for Employers
Loretta Bouwmeester presented for Informed HR Calgary.
June 2018
Sober Second Thought: Experts Debate the Future of Workplace Drug Testing
Loretta Bouwmeester presented for Lancaster House 36th Annual Labour Arbitration & Policy Conference at The Westin, Calgary.
June 2018
Law Firm Workplace Safety Part II
Loretta Bouwmeester presented at the Canadian Bar Association – AB Law Firm Management & Leadership Section at the Canadian Bar Association, Calgary
June 2018
OH&S Matters
Loretta Bouwmeester presented for the Mechanical Contractors Association of Alberta 68th Annual Conference at the Delta Kananaskis Lodge
May 2018
Cannabis and Your Benefit Plan
Loretta Bouwmeester presented for the Benefits Canada Benefits & Pension Summit at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, Calgary, Alberta.
May 2018
Women in Safety: Being an Unstoppable Advocate and Influencer
Loretta Bouwmeester presented for the WOHSS Launch Event at the Calgary Petroleum Club, Calgary
May 2018
Bill 30: What Now?
Loretta Bouwmeester presented at the Petroleum Safety Conference in Banff, Alberta.
March 2018
Marijuana in the Workplace
Loretta Bouwmeester and Wilson Chan presented, Alberta Construction Safety Association Health & Safety Conference at Telus Convention Centre – Calgary, Alberta.
February 2018
Courtroom Advocacy: A View From the Bench – Savvy Lawyer Series
Loretta Bouwmeester moderated the presentation for the Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch in Calgary, Alberta
November 2017
Changes to the Employment Standards Code – Bill 17: The Fair and Family-friendly Workplaces Act
Loretta Bouwmeester presented at the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Law Firm Management & Leadership Section in Calgary, Alberta.
November 2017
2017 OHS Year in Review (Marijuana in the Workplace)
Loretta Bouwmeester, and Wilson Chan presented at the Canadian Bar Association in Calgary, Alberta.
October 2017
Staff Employment Contracts: Hiring, Firing and Performance Management
Loretta Bouwmeester presented at the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Law Firm Management & Leadership Section in Calgary, Alberta.
October 2017
Are You Ready for (Legal) Weed? Time to Get Schooled
Loretta Bouwmeester presented at the CARA/CURIE Symposium at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton, Alberta
September 2016
Marijuana & Workplace Safety – What’s an Employer to Do?
Loretta Bouwmeester presented to the Alberta Association for Safety Partnerships in Calgary, Alberta.
March 2017
Marijuana & the Workplace
Loretta Bouwmeester presented to the Calgary Society of Safety Engineers in Calgary, Alberta.
February 2017
Marijuana & Workplace Safety
Loretta Bouwmeester and Lori Brienza presented to the Mechanical Contractors Association of Alberta in Calgary, Alberta
February 2017
Privacy Law Update
Loretta Bouwmeester presented to the Council for Chief Privacy Officers West in Calgary, Alberta
January 2017
OHS in Canada: The Year in Review 2016
Loretta Bouwmeester presented at Progress Energy in Calgary, Alberta.
Insights
In-Depth Analysis
OHS in Canada: The Year in Review 2019
This issue highlights and provides context for the most significant developments in OHS for 2019.
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In A Flash
Cannabis Edibles, Lotions and Extracts Oh My! Coming Soon to a Retailer Near You…
What employers need to be aware of from a workplace safety perspective.
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Webinar Recording
May 26, 2020
COVID-19 Employer Update No. 4: Return to Worksite Planning and Implementation – An OHS Perspective
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Complimentary Session
January 31, 2020
Protected: 20/20 Hindsight and 2020 Foresight: Alberta’s Evolving Workplace Laws
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Complimentary Session
January 31, 2019
20/20 Hindsight: Alberta’s Workplace Laws One Year Later
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Webinar Recording
January 24, 2019
You’ve Had a Workplace Accident! Managing the OHS Risk – Coast to Coast
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Complimentary Session
April 20, 2018
Practically Dealin’ with Pot: Impairment What You Need to Know about Impairment in the Workplace & Controlling it as a Potential Hazard
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Complimentary Session
February 1, 2018
OHS? WCB? OH MY! What You Need to Know About Bill 30 and Alberta’s New Workplace Safety Laws
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Webinar Recording
January 25, 2018
Marijuana & Workplace Safety – What’s an Employer to Do? Medical and Legal Issues with Marijuana Legalization
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Complimentary Session
November 1, 2017
More Hazy Days Ahead: Alberta’s New Workplace Laws and Marijuana
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Complimentary Session
March 2, 2017
Workforce Organization and Contractor Management – Calgary, AB
Read moreArticles and papers
February 5, 2019Quoted in The Cannabis Channel: “Suncor, union agree to random drug testing”
January 8, 2019Author, Lexology: “Canada – “The OHS Year in Review 2018”
December 3, 2018Author, Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine: “Random testing a go at Suncor”
June 1, 2018Quoted in Benefits Canada: “Navigating the ’50 shades of grey’ surrounding marijuana legalization and the workplace”
May 3, 2018Author, 2018 Petroleum Safety Conference: “Bill 30 – What Now? The Changing Focus of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Laws”
April 30, 2018Author, Lexology: “Five Ways to Manage Occupational Health and Safety Risks Related to Volunteering Effectively”.
March 16, 2018Quoted in Benefits Canada: “Learn how legal marijuana will affect the workplace at the Benefits and Pension Summit”
July 4, 2017Quoted in Canadian Lawyer Magazine: “Marijuana at work”
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