416.865.7921 
- Bunge Hamilton Canada v United Food and Commercial Workers Canada, Local 175 (Representing Bunge Hamilton Canada in an arbitration in the matter of a policy grievance objecting to a mandatory vaccine policy)
- Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America v. Construction Demathieu & Bard (CDB) Inc., LIUNA, et al. – OLRB Case No: 1923-18-U, 1924-18-R and 2233-18-U
- Johnson Controls Canada LP v Teamsters Local Union 419, 2022 (ON LRB)
- Ontario Public Service Employees Union v Rouge Valley Health System, 2017 CanLII 35613 (ON LRB)
- I.B.E.W. Construction Council of Ontario v Labour Ready, 2016 CanLII 49532 (ON LRB)
- Canadian Union of Skilled Workers v Labourers’ International Union of North America, 2016 CanLII 46791 (ON LRB)
- Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America v. Brown Daniels Associates Inc., 2016 CanLII 46789 (ON LRB)
- Ontario Public Service Employees Union v St. Elizabeth Health Care and Canadian Mental Health Association, 2016 CanLII 6536 (ON LRB)
Patrick Groom
Expertise
Administrative & Public Law
Construction & Infrastructure
Employment & Labour Relations
Life Sciences
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Language(s) Spoken
- English
Patrick Groom is designated as a Certified Specialist in Labour Law by the Law Society of Ontario. With more than 20 years’ experience in labour relations, he has developed particular expertise in construction labour relations and litigation, and health care restructuring.
Frequently appearing before all levels of court in Ontario, Patrick also represents clients at the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, the Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board, and the Newfoundland & Labrador Labour Relations Agency, as well as in private arbitrations across Canada.
Patrick advises on the development of proactive labour relations strategies that promote positive employee engagement, effectively respond to union organizing, institute best practices for occupational health and safety, and resolve of human rights issues in the workplace.
As an advisor with the Law Society of Ontario’s Coach and Advisor Network, Patrick enjoys mentoring and assisting fellow members of the bar.
Expertise
Representative Matters
Speaking Engagements
Navigating Vaccine Mandates Planning, presented to the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies members
March 1, 2022Navigating Vaccine Mandates Planning, presented to the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies members
January 19, 2022Navigating Vaccine Mandates Planning, presented to the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies members
October 5, 2021Responses to Select Questions from the "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Construction Industry: McMillan Answers Your Questions" Webinar
April 3, 2020 DOWNLOAD FILEGovernment Relations Update Ontario Electrical league, 2017 Electrical Industry Conference
May 5, 2018Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 Ontario Electrical League, 2018 Electrical Industry Conference
April 19, 2018Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 Ontario Electrical League, Durham Chapter
March 28, 2018Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 Ontario Electrical League, Ottawa Chapter
February 27, 2018Legalization of Marijuana & Impact on Employers in the Construction Industry Landscape Ontario
February 9, 2018Bill 132: Sexual Violence & Harassment Action Plan Act Ontario General Contractors Association
April 7, 2017Reducing Turnover, Retaining Talent and Performance Management Landscape Ontario
February 21, 2017Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace Barrie Construction Association
June 21, 2016The Employment Standards Act and Other Legislative Obligations Barrie Construction Association
June 8, 2016News
Media Mentions
- “Collective bargaining amid economic uncertainty: labour lawyer’s perspective,” by Jeffrey R. Smith, Canadian HR Reporter (May 8, 2025)
- “Canada Post workers back on the job by Tuesday,” CTV News (December 16, 2024)
- “Special mediator leading Canada Post negotiations,” CTV News (November 18, 2024)
- “The long reach of LOU-8: Toronto-area union contractors’ masonry agreement stretches across the province,” by Mark Buckshon, Ontario Constuction Report (May 4, 2024)
- “What’s in store for the federal public service in 2024?“, by Catherine Morrison, The Ottawa Citizen (January 3rd, 2024)
- “Supreme Court construction site liability ruling has far-reaching implications,” by Sean Fine, Globe and Mail (November 10, 2023)
- “Top 3 Tonight with Merella Fernandez – Impact of Strike,” CTV News (April 27, 2023)
- “Why work-from-home rules are a red line for the government,” by Ryan Tumilty, National Post (April 27, 2023)
- “Civil servants’ push for remote work has Canadian employers watching anxiously,” by Randy Thanthong-Knight, Bloomberg News (April 26, 2023)
- “Federal workers’ strike reignites remote work debate,” by Global National (April 20, 2023)
- “Tax season could be chaos as strike threatens to bring CRA to ‘standstill‘,” by Christopher Nardi, National Post (March 22, 2023)
- “Dump truck job action extends to third week“, by Don Wall, Daily Commercial News (April 7, 2022)
- “48-hour notice for sick day called unreasonable” by Anita Balakrishnan, Law Times (January 21, 2019)
- “ICI sector preps for open season amid uncertainties“, Daily Commercial News by ConstructConnect (January 31, 2019)
Rankings & Recognition
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2025) as a leading lawyer in the area of Labour and Employment Law
- Brad Hodgson Civil Litigation Award, 2006
- Labour & Employment Law Achievement Award, 2006
Directorships & Affiliations
- Advisor, Coach and Advisor Network, Law Society of Ontario
- Member, Thomas Moore Lawyers’ Guild
- Member, Ontario Bar Association, Labour & Employment, Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights, and Construction Law
Education & Admissions
2015
Certified Specialist (Labour Law)
2007
Called to the Ontario bar
2006
Doctor of Law (J.D.) LawUniversity of Western Ontario
2003
Honours, B.A. - Law and Society, Political ScienceYork University
Publications
- “Don’t blame Doug Ford for using the notwithstanding clause – it was the only logical solution,” The Globe and Mail (November 7, 2022)
- “Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Primer for General Contractors,” The Generals, p.27 (Spring/Summer 2021)
- “Sick, Lies, and Questionnaire: Arbitrators Uphold Terminations of Employees Who Breached COVID-19 Safety Protocols,” Employment and Labour Law Reporter, LexisNexis (February 2021)
- “COVID-19: Strange new world of OHS issues at construction sites,” Piling Canada, p.67-70 (September 2020)
- “The Employment Law Review,” 7th Ed., Chapter 8 “Canada” (April 2011)
Insights (24 Posts)View More
McMillan’s 2024 Employment and Labour Webinar
This program will provide an overview and discuss trending topics within the employment lifecycle and provide cross-country case law and legislative updates.
Details
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
R v Greater Sudbury: Courts Consider Level of Knowledge, Skill, Expertise, and Control in Assessing Due Diligence of “Employers” under OHSA
The Court’s assessment of Sudbury’s due diligence now provides practical guidance to project owners respecting their obligations as “employers” under the OHSA.
Read More
Sep 5, 2024
Part Three of McMillan’s R. vs Greater Sudbury Webinar
As a follow up to our first two webinars back in December 2023 and February 2024 where we considered the history, details and legal implications of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Greater Sudbury.
Details
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Part Two of McMillan’s R. vs Greater Sudbury Webinar
As a follow up to our first webinar back in December 2023 where we considered the history, details and legal implications of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in
Details
Thursday, February 8, 2024
R. vs Greater Sudbury Webinar
Following a brief overview of the case and the SCC’s split decision, this discussion will focus on the implications of the decision to the roles and responsibilities of each project party, including the owner, contractor and design consultant (architect and engineer). The discussion will be interactive and will include an extensive Q&A period.
Details
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Automotive Webinar Series | Part III: Where Rubber Meets the Road: Automotive Litigation Update
At this session, our panel of experts will provide a panoramic view of the evolution of automotive class actions across Canada, a review of best practices for managing disputes with distributors and franchisees, and
insights into litigation and disclosure obligations arising from automotive industry labour issues.
Details
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The 2022 Construction Labour “Open Period” – What Employers Need to Know
March 1 – April 30, 2022 is the “Open Period” for ICI collective agreements, and many non-ICI agreements, in Ontario. During this period members of construction unions can apply to the Ontario Labour Relations Board to terminate a union’s bargaining rights with their employer, or – more commonly – a rival union can apply to the Board to displace an existing union, in what is commonly known as a “raid”. During the Open Period employers will likely see increased union activity on sites as incumbent unions will seek to maintain member support, and as rival unions may try to gather support for a raid.
Join us on Wednesday, February 2nd for a discussion about what employers should expect and need to know if a decertification application or a displacement application involving their employees is filed at the Board.
Details
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Upheld
An Ontario arbitrator upheld an employer's vaccine mandate for both a site where a 3rd party obligation existed and a related site with no such obligation.
Read More
Jan 12, 2022
Ontario Arbitrators Continue to Uphold Terminations of Employees who Breach COVID-19 Safety Protocols
A recent decision by an Ontario arbitrator further affirmed the notion that dishonesty during COVID screening protocols by an employee can lead to termination.
Read More
Jan 12, 2022
A Rock and a Hard Place: Owner, Employer, and Constructor Liability Under the OHSA
Ontario Court of Appeal - construction project liability under OHSA despite retaining a constructor responsible for health & safety.
Read More
Dec 3, 2021
Mandatory Vaccination Policy: “Reasonable, Enforceable”
A labour arbitrator upheld an employer’s mandatory vaccination policy, finding the policy to be reasonable and enforceable.
Read More
Nov 11, 2021
Vaccination Mandates in the Construction Industry – What You Need to Know
An overview of vaccination mandates in the Construction industry and what you need to know.
Read More
Oct 12, 2021
Sick, Lies, and Questionnaire: Arbitrators Uphold Terminations of Employees who Breached COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Two recent labour arbitration decisions held that attending work in breach of employer COVID protocols can lead to termination for cause.
Read More
Dec 9, 2020
McMillan’s Employment and Labour Webinar
This annual workshop addresses significant legal developments and provides practical advice on responding to employee issues.
Details
November 10, 2020 - 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Ontario Employers be Aware: New Mandatory Screening Requirements for Ontario Workplaces
Employers should take immediate steps to implement the new mandatory COVID-19 screening requirements for Ontario workplaces.
Read More
Sep 30, 2020
Another Brick in the Wall (Removed) (Part 29): Court of Appeal Continues to Chip Away at ESA Termination Provisions
The Ontario Court of Appeal releases a ground breaking decision with respect to enforceability of termination provisions in employment agreements.
Read More
Jun 23, 2020
Project Management Amid COVID-19 – The Triage
Best practices for construction project management during the COVID-19 pandemic, and other force majeure circumstances.
Read More
Apr 8, 2020
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Construction Industry: A Reference Guide to the Changed Landscape
Contractual clauses, Permits & Inspections, Health & Safety, Labour, Litigation, Arbitration & Court Procedures,
Limitation Periods, Liens & Holdbacks
Read More
Apr 3, 2020
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Construction Industry: McMillan Answers Your Questions
This webinar will unpack and address the impacts of COVID-19 on the construction industry and how these impacts can be best managed.
Mar 31, 2020
Employment and Labour Seminar Series: Toronto
Join us as we discuss significant legal developments and provide practical advice on critical issues facing employers in Canada.
Oct 30, 2019
Ontario Passes Amendments to the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and Employment Standards Act, 2000
Ontario Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018, received Royal Assent.
Read More
Apr 15, 2019
Ontario Proceeding with Further Substantial Amendments to Workplace Legislation
Ontario has introduced Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2018, an omnibus bill that proposes changes to several statutes, the LRA and ESA.
Read More
Dec 14, 2018
Helping Your Workplace Navigate the Legalization of Marijuana
McMillan has published a report entitled "McMillan (Chronic)le" to address questions to help your workplace navigate the decriminalization of cannabis.
Read More
Oct 3, 2018
Puff, Puff, Pass-ed: What Employers Need to Know About Cannabis Legalization
Join us for an interactive webinar as we take a closer look at the potential impact of cannabis legalization, as well as the rights and responsibilities of employers in the Bill C-45 era.
Sep 12, 2018
Deals & Cases (1 Posts)
McMillan Successfully Defends Paradise Theatre against Union Claim brought by IATSE before the Ontario Labour Relations Board
In May 2023, McMillan concluded its representation of Paradise Theatre Entertainment Corp. (“Paradise Theatre”) against a claim from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts, Local 58 (“IATSE”), before the Ontario Labour Relations Board (“OLRB”).
Read More
May 29, 2023
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