Presentations

• “The Limits of Freedom of Expression for Employees and Professionals – Implications for Employment Law and Professional Regulation,” panel discussion at the CBA’s National Administrative Law, Labour & Employment Law Conference, Ottawa, ON., November 29, 2024.
• “2024 in Hindsight: Employment Law Lessons to Apply in 2025,” Quarterly Employment Breakfast Seminar, Carbert Waite LLP, November 27, 2024
• “Reimagining Complex Terminations: Best Practices and Strategies You Need to Know”, CPHR Annual Hybrid Conference, October 2, 2024
• Navigating Complex Terminations, Quarterly Employment Breakfast Seminar, Carbert Waite LLP, May 28, 2024
• “Accommodating Mental Disability: Challenges and Obligations”, CPHR Alberta Hybrid HR Law Conference, February 13, 2024
• “NDA Session: To Silence or Not to Silence? Debating the Pros and Cons of Restrictions on NDAs” moderated panel discussion at the CBA Administrative Law, Labour & Employment Law Conference, Ottawa, ON., November 17, 2023
• “Drug Testing in the Canadian Courts,” Drug and Alcohol Testing Association of Canada (DATAC), September 26, 2023.
• “The New Tort of Harassment and How it Will Affect the Workplace”, Quarterly Employment Breakfast Seminar, Carbert Waite LLP, September 21, 2023
• “Personal Liability in Workplace Litigation,” Presentation to the CBA Labour and Employment Law South Section, June 14, 2023

Media

Articles in Specialized Publications

• “Worker on probationary period entitled to reasonable notice: court” – Canadian HR Reporter, Jeffrey R. Smith (December 04, 2024). In this article, Stephen discussed the importance of providing a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate suitability when terminating a worker with probationary status, and the potential legal implications of failing to do so.
• “Railway company skips first step of accommodation process in worker’s reinstatement” – Canadian HR Reporter, Jeffrey R. Smith (October 02, 2024). In this article, Stephen discussed the importance of not overlooking medical evidence when accommodating an employee’s return to work.
• “Will Alberta’s streamlined trial process lead to more wrongful dismissal applications?” – Canadian HR Reporter, Stacy Thomas (July 30, 2024). In this article, Stephen discussed changes to the Alberta Rules of Court and the new streamlined trial process.
• “Hiring outside contractor to perform bargaining unit work not allowed: arbitrator” – Canadian HR Reporter, Jeffrey R. Smith (June 10, 2024). In this article, Stephen discussed an arbitration decision finding an employer breached the terms of the collective agreement by contracting an outside worker.
• “Just cause: Long breaks, inaccurate timesheets lead to termination of Alberta worker” – Canadian HR Reporter, Jeffrey R. Smith (February 12, 2024). In this article, Stephen discussed an employee who was terminated for dishonesty on his time sheets.
• “Worker’s absence on estimated return-to-work date not resignation: Alberta court” – Canadian HR Reporter, Jeffrey R. Smith (November 15, 2023). In this article, Stephen discussed the consideration required to ensure enforceability of an employment policy.
• “Lunchroom surveillance cameras reasonable: Alberta arbitrator” – Canadian HR Reporter, Jeffrey R. Smith (June 23, 2023). In this article, Stephen discussed an arbitration decision that found an employer’s use of surveillance cameras in a lunchroom did not breach employee privacy rights.
• “Wildfires in Alberta put spotlight on crisis management” – Canadian HR Reporter, Sarah Dobson (May 24, 2023). In this article, Stephen discussed human resources considerations resulting from Alberta wildfires.

News Interviews 

• “Canada Post strike: The CBC’s Andrew Nichols talks with labour lawyer Stephen Torscher.” CBC News Toronto (November 29, 2024). Stephen and Andrew discussed Canada Post’s decision to temporarily lay off striking workers and explored possible outcomes.
• “Maybe it’s a reckoning”: the reasons behind Canada’s increasing labour action,” CTV News Calgary at 5 and 6 pm, Timm Bruch (September 11, 2024). Stephen provided insights on recent trends in labour disputes in Canada. Watch Stephen’s commentary from minute 17:29 to 18:36 on CTV Calgary News at 5, and from 34:27 to 36:23 on CTV Calgary News at 6.
• Lead story interview with host Rob Brown, CBC Calgary News at 6 pm, CBC Calgary (August 23, 2024). Stephen provided insights on the railway labour dispute involving the Teamsters, CN, and CPKC. Watch Stephen’s commentary from minute 00:00 to 08:41.
• “From the bargaining table to the street: Alberta employees push for better,” CTV News, Timm Bruch (April 21, 2023). Stephen discussed the seemingly increasing number of labour disputes in Alberta. Watch Stephen’s commentary from minute 1:30 to 1:42.

Blog Posts