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.
Loretta Bouwmeester, KC *
Partner Calgary, Vancouver, T: 403.538.5042 F: 403.538.5049 lbouwmeester@mathewsdinsdale.com
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Tonya Pauw Assistant 403.538.5044 x344 tpauw@mathewsdinsdale.com
Biography
Bar admission
Law Society of British Columbia
Law Society of Alberta
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
Alberta Lawyers Assistance Society (Assist)
Calgary Bar Association
Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE)
Canadian Bar Association
Canadian Society of Safety Engineering
Law Societies of Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories
The Advocates’ Society
Women in Occupational Health and Safety 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. Loretta is a current, and multi-year, Contributor to Practical Law Canada – Employment, with Thomson Reuters for the Provincial Q&As, Accident Reporting & Investigation (NWT) and Accident Reporting & Investigation (Fed).
* 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
Chambers and Partners CanadaEmployment & Labour Law – Alberta
Best Lawyers® in CanadaWorkers’ Compensation Law
Canadian Legal Lexpert®Occupational Health & Safety
Canadian OH&S MagazineReaders Choice Award
Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine (COS)5 Star Safety Lawyers and Law Firms
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.
News
Mathews Dinsdale lawyers from coast-to-coast recognized in the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory as leaders in Labour Law, Employment Law, Construction Labour Relations, Occupational Health & Safety Law and Workers’ Compensation Law.
Mathews Dinsdale has once again been recognized as a leading law firm in the Chambers Canada 2023 Guide for Employment & Labour - Nationwide, Ontario and British Columbia. Congratulations to our lawyers in BC, AB, ON and Atlantic Canada, who have been ranked and recognized this year.
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.
We are proud to announce that Loretta Bouwmeester is one of the newest Queen’s Counsel appointees in Alberta. The Minister of Justice and Solicitor General recognizes lawyers who have provided exceptional service to Albertans and the legal community and who have made significant contributions to the administration of justice. Congratulations Loretta!
Mathews Dinsdale lawyers from coast-to-coast recognized in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory as leaders in Labour Law, Employment Law, Construction Labour Relations, Occupational Health & Safety Law and Workers’ Compensation Law.
Canadian Occupational Safety, Canada’s premier publication on OH&S, announces Mathews Dinsdale and its partners, Cheryl Edwards, Jeremy Warning and Loretta Bouwmeester winners of their inaugural 5-Star Safety Lawyers and Law Firm Award. “Our research team has tirelessly worked to uncover the best and brightest legal minds in the OHS sphere”. Thank you!
We are proud to announce that Loretta Bouwmeester, of our Calgary office, has been nominated for the Leadership in the Profession (Private Practice) award presented by Women in the Law Leadership of Alberta. This award will recognize and applaud a lawyer in private practice who has shown extraordinary leadership and a commitment to being a positive role model for other lawyers.
Mathews Dinsdale has once again been recognized as a leading law firm in the Chambers Canada 2022 guide for Employment & Labour Law nationwide. Congratulations to our lawyers from coast-to-coast who have been recognized as notable practitioners this year.
22 Mathews Dinsdale lawyers, from coast-to-coast, are recognized as leaders in The Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2022 in the fields of Labour and Employment Law, Workers' Compensation Law, Education Law, Employee Benefits Law and Immigration Law.
Mathews Dinsdale lawyers from coast-to-coast recognized in the 2021 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory as leaders in Labour Law, Employment Law, Construction Labour Relations, Occupational Health & Safety Law and Workers’ Compensation Law.
Congratulations team University of British Columbia our 2021 Virtual Moot winners, and team Osgoode Hall for being in the finals. Well Done! Thanks to everyone who participated from coast-to-coast, in our 23rd Annual National Labour Arbitration Competition. Hopefully next year we will be back face to face!
We are proud to announce that Loretta Bouwmeester of our Calgary office was awarded the Alberta Lawyers’ Assistance Society’s Volunteer of the Year 2019. The award was in recognition of her ‘extraordinary service to ASSIST and lawyer well-being’. Loretta was also appointed to ASSIST’s Board of Directors. Wellness matters to us. For our team and yours. Take care and be well.
Mathews Dinsdale has once again been recognized as a leading law firm in the Chambers Canada 2021 guide for Employment & Labour Law nationwide. Congratulations to our lawyers from coast-to-coast who have been recognized as notable practitioners this year.
21 Mathews Dinsdale lawyers, from coast-to-coast, are recognized as leaders in The Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2021 in the fields of Labour and Employment Law, Education Law, Employee Benefits Law, Immigration Law, Workers’ Compensation Law.
Loretta Bouwmeester and Lori Brienza quoted in Talent Canada in an article titled New Legal Landscape Benefits Alberta Employers which discusses Bill 32 - August 18, 2020
Mathews Dinsdale lawyers from coast-to-coast recognized in the 2020 Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory as leaders in Labour & Employment Law, Construction Labour Relations, OH&S Law and Workers’ Compensation Law.
Mathews Dinsdale Lawyers from coast-to-coast recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada 2020 as leaders in Labour and Employment Law, Education Law, Employee Benefits Law, Immigration Law, Workers’ Compensation Law.
Insights
In-Depth Analysis
Effectively Managing OHS Risks for Volunteers and the Organizations they Serve
Ensuring that OHS risks are effectively managed with respect to volunteer ‘workers’ is key for employers. This article outlines what those OHS risks are and effective means of mitigating them.
Read more
COVID-19
Step 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 more
COVID-19
Alberta’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 more
COVID-19
Alberta to Enter Final Stage of Reopening on July 1: What Employers Need to Know
Stage 3 is AB’s final stage in its reopening plan and will result in nearly all current COVID-19 related public health restrictions implemented by AB Health being lifted.
Read more
COVID-19
Alberta Enters Stage 2 of Reopening: What this Means for Employers & Workplaces
Mandatory work from home order is lifted but remote work is still recommended where possible. Employers must maintain health and safety measures to reasonably address the continuing COVID-19 hazard.
Read more
COVID-19
Paid & Job-Protected Leave for Alberta Employee COVID-19 Vaccinations
Effective April 21, 2021, Alberta employers must give employees job-protected leave to receive COVID-19 vaccinations without any loss of pay or benefits.
Read more
COVID-19
Alberta Government Launches Critical Worker Benefit
Employers with eligible employees are expected to apply and administer the benefit on behalf of the government. It is important to apply early as the deadlines are in March and there is a cap on the total amount the government will pay.
Read more
COVID-19
New Stringent Action Taken to Curb Rising Spread of COVID-19 in Alberta
Employers should be aware of new extensive restrictive measures, and carefully consider how their business operations may be further adapted to comply with the new restrictions after what has proven to be a very challenging year for AB employers.
Read more
In A Flash
OHS Legislative Change in Alberta is Coming Around Again – Very Likely September 2021
Bill 47: Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act will likely pass third reading in the legislature by December and result in very significant, and far-reaching, changes to the current Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Read more
COVID-19
Alberta Releases New Mandatory and Voluntary Targeted Public Health Measures in Response to the Rise in COVID-19 Cases
Employers should carefully review the requirements to determine whether the targeted measures apply to their workplace.
Read more
In A Flash
Alberta Government Seeks Public Feedback for Review of Occupational Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation in the Province
A review of the feedback process employers are encouraged to participate in, as well as issues employers have faced under the current OH&S and Workers’ Compensation legislation.
Read more
COVID-19
Mandatory Mask Use Indoor Calgary Public Spaces and Alberta Schools to Re-open in the Fall
A review of the implications for employers, and what workplace accommodations may become necessary as a result.
Read more
In-Depth Analysis
COVID-19: A Pandemic of “Novel” Workplace OHS Issues
We focus is on several key OHS related lessons learned and “novel” OHS legal issues arising from the pandemic, which continue to create issues for employers, OHS, HR and management as workplaces continue to reopen with “public health“ measures in place.
Read more
COVID-19
COVID-19: Alberta Employers Given Human Rights and WCB Guidance
Administrative bodies in Alberta are providing more information to the public in the context of human rights and workers’ compensation.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read moreEvents
Webinar Recording
November 30, 2021
Bill 47: Overview of OHSA Changes – What an Alberta Employer Needs to Know
Read more
Webinar Recording
December 22, 2020
Bill 47 Passed: Alberta Workers’ Compensation Act Changes Start in January 2021
Read more
Webinar Recording
September 29, 2020
Bill 32 Update: Changes to Alberta’s Workplace Laws are Here and More are Coming
Read more
Webinar Recording
May 26, 2020
COVID-19 Employer Update No. 4: Return to Worksite Planning and Implementation – An OHS Perspective
Read more
Complimentary Session
January 31, 2020
20/20 Hindsight and 2020 Foresight: Alberta’s Evolving Workplace Laws
Read more
Complimentary Session
January 31, 2019
20/20 Hindsight: Alberta’s Workplace Laws One Year Later
Read more
Complimentary Webinar
January 24, 2019
You’ve Had a Workplace Accident! Managing the OHS Risk – Coast to Coast
Read more
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
Read more
Complimentary Session
February 1, 2018
OHS? WCB? OH MY! What You Need to Know About Bill 30 and Alberta’s New Workplace Safety Laws
Read more
Complimentary Webinar
January 25, 2018
Marijuana & Workplace Safety – What’s an Employer to Do? Medical and Legal Issues with Marijuana Legalization
Read more
Complimentary Session
November 1, 2017
More Hazy Days Ahead: Alberta’s New Workplace Laws and Marijuana
Read more
Complimentary Webinar
April 11, 2017
Marijuana & Workplace Safety – What’s an Employer to Do?
Read more
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”
Webinars
Our complimentary webinars address the practical and legal issues for Canadian employers.
View our Webinars