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.
Paul D. McLean*
Partner Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary, T: 604.638.2044 F: 604.638.2049 pmclean@mathewsdinsdale.com
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Shamoii Baker Assistant 604.638.2050 x459 sbaker@mathewsdinsdale.com
Biography
Bar admission
Law Society of British Columbia
Law Society of Alberta
Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
Law Society of Yukon
Education
St. Francis Xavier University, B.A.
University of New Brunswick, LL.B.
Membership and affiliations
Calgary Bar Association
Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE)
Vancouver Bar Association
Profile
A Partner in our Vancouver office, Paul has been helping employers across Western Canada resolve workplace law problems for over two decades. He has significant experience in the mining, transportation, education, hospitality, construction and financial sectors.
Recognized as a leading practitioner by Best Lawyers and Lexpert, Paul provides strategic counsel to clients concerning employment litigation, occupational health and safety, shareholder disputes, workers’ compensation, human rights, labour injunctions, CCAA proceedings, workplace class actions and executive compensation issues. Like many lawyers, he frequently finds himself in court or before administrative tribunals and arbitrators.
When not attempting to stop pucks as a beer league goalie, Paul lectures as an Adjunct Professor at the UBC Faculty of Law, where he teaches employment law.
* Denotes practicing through a law corporation.
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Industry recognition
Best Lawyers® in CanadaImmigration Law
Employee Benefits Law
Education Law
Corporate and Commercial Liltigation
Employment Law
Canadian HR Reporter 5-Star Employment LawyerEmployment Law
Presentations
December 2021
After-Acquired Cause
Paul spoke to the CBA-BC Employment Law Section on After-Acquired Cause
November 2021
Social Media Evidence: Litigation Trends and Developments
Paul presented at the Canadian Bar Association’s Labour and Employment Law Online Symposium
September 2019
Preservation and Presentation of Electronic Evidence
Paul spoke before adjudicators, at the annual Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers
June 2019
Developments on the Use and Impact of Social Media in the Workplace
Paul presented for the BC Canadian Bar Association Employment Law Section
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.
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.
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.
Paul McLean interviewed on CTV News - Vancouver. Can Employers Ask for Vaccine Status of Staff?
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.
Paul McLean interviewed on CTV News - Vancouver. Can employers force workers to get vaccinated?
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.
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.
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.
Paul McLean interviewed as part of a CityNews1130 story on CERB and the obligation to return to work. White Rock Coffee Shop Struggling to Get Workers Back.
Paul McLean interviewed as part of a CTV News Vancouver story on COVID-19 and the Workplace.
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 A Flash
Money Judgment Enforcement Act
On October 26, 2023 the British Columbia Money Judgment Enforcement Act received Royal Assent. The Act, which comes into force in 2025, aims to streamline the debt collection process in the province by reducing the role of Courts and instead creating a Money Judgment Registry staffed with Civil Enforcement Officers charged with debt collection.
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COVID-19
CERB is not Deductible From Wrongful Dismissal Damages: B.C. Court of Appeal
Employees who received CERB following termination of employment will no longer have those benefits deducted from any award of wrongful dismissal damages.
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COVID-19
All British Columbia Businesses Must Have COVID-19 Safety Plans in Place
As a result of the considerable increase in COVID-19 cases and transmission in BC, the Provincial Health Officer has announced businesses must again implement/revive their COVID-19 Safety Plans. What does this mean for employers in BC.
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COVID-19
Vancouver Hotel Facing Class Action Lawsuit by Former Employees Terminated as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
A review of the B.C. Supreme Court certification of a class action lawsuit brought by former employees against the owners of the Pan Pacific Hotel in relation to employment being terminated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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COVID-19
B.C. Institutes Vaccination Mandate for Long-Term Care Workers
B.C. Provincial Health Officer has announced that all workers in long-term care and assisted living facilities in B.C. will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of October 12, 2021.
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COVID-19
B.C. Supreme Court Deducts CERB Benefits from Wrongful Dismissal Damages
In the first reported judgement concerning this issue in B.C. we summarize the decision, and the impact of it for employers facing litigation, or threats of litigation, from former employees dismissed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In A Flash
Federally Regulated Employer Fined $250,000 for Workplace Death
A recent criminal decision in B.C. imposing a $250,000 fine on an employer for a workplace fatality serves as a caution for employers to be proactive in addressing identified safety concerns in the workplace.
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COVID-19
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Announces New Workplace Closure Powers Due to COVID-19 Transmission – Updated April 13/21
The Provincial Health Officer has issued a written order which allows medical health officers to close all or part of a workplace where the officer has reason to believe that one or more employees has been infected with COVID-19 in the workplace.
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In A Flash
Record-Setting ‘Injury to Dignity’ Award by B.C. Human Rights Tribunal
More than double the highest-ever payment to a complainant for injury to dignity, $176,000 in general damages as part of an award in which the total damages approach $1,000,000.
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COVID-19
Can Employers Require That Employees Take the COVID-19 Vaccine?
An outline of requirements and considerations for implementation of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, should an employer deem one necessary for their workplace.
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COVID-19
Provincial Health Officer Imposes New COVID-19 Orders for Employers and Individuals in British Columbia
The orders, which we summarize in this article, are in effect from November 19, 2020 to December 7 at 12:00 p.m.
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OHS & Workers’ Compensation Advisor
Serious Workplace Accidents in Canada: Managing the Consequences Coast to Coast
This Advisor examines the impacts of a serious accident, and provides a roadmap for accident response planning for critical actions to take and mitigating adverse consequences for the Canadian employer.
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COVID-19
BC Government Introduces Streamlined Variance Application Process Related to COVID-19
The BC Ministry of Labour announced a new program designed to expedite the variance application process for employers seeking to extend COVID-19 related layoffs as they struggle to remain in business in the face of the ongoing pandemic.
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COVID-19
FAQ’s: COVID-19 and the Workplace – Updated Sept 15/20
As part of our ongoing effort to keep employers informed during the COVID-19 pandemic, our FAQ has been updated given the rapidly changing workplace environment.
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In A Flash
B.C. Government Proposes Significant Changes to Workers’ Compensation Act
BC government has introduced wide-ranging amendments to the Workers Compensation Act which, when passed, will result in higher costs for employers and increased risk of criminal prosecutions for workplace safety violations.
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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.
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COVID-19
You Have a COVID-19 Case! Best Practices for Employers to Manage Reports of Suspected Cases and Outbreaks
Based on our experience to date, available legislation, and public health guidance, we recommend the following step-by-step analysis and process.
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COVID-19
Work Refusals and COVID-19
General guidance on how employers must respond to a work refusal in the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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COVID-19
Workplace Pandemic Plans: What Employers Should Know
As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, employers should be planning now for how to respond to the risk of a potential pandemic.
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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
New Report Proposes More Changes to WorkSafeBC Criminal Investigation Process
Employers should brace themselves for a number of proposals to be implemented in the near future.
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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.
Read moreEvents
Webinar Recording
May 29, 2024
Managing Officer and Director Personal Liability Risk for OHS Violations and WCB Claims
Read moreWebinars
Our complimentary webinars address the practical and legal issues for Canadian employers.
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