Tyler represents unions, professional associations, civil society organizations, and employees across all sectors. He works primarily in the areas of Labour Law, Health Law, Charter/Constitutional Law, Human Rights, and Professional Regulation/Discipline.
Owing to the broad nature of his practice, Tyler provides oral and written advocacy in a variety of forums including private arbitration, labour boards, human rights tribunals, and the courts. He has appeared before every level of court in Ontario, as well as the Supreme Court of Canada.
Tyler also provides strategic advice to institutional clients as needed, who call on him for practical and pragmatic solutions to matters ranging from litigation strategy and collective agreement disputes to union governance to election-related advertising. Tyler is pleased to consult on any issue affecting a union or professional association and its members. He likewise assists these parties in judicial review proceedings and appeals before the courts.
Tyler is particularly alive to the unique dynamic and tensions that arise when workers have obligations and statutory duties to not only their respective employers but also regulatory colleges or other entities. He provides intersectional representation in this respect, ensuring that his clients’ legal interests are protected across all forums and in all capacities.
Tyler is routinely invited to present to academic and professional audiences in the areas of labour law, human rights, and administrative law. He has also acted as invited faculty and instructor in graduate education programs.
Tyler holds a JD from the University of Toronto, where he received recognition for coursework completed on standard form construction agreements, and an HBA from McMaster University in Labour Studies and Political Sciences. Prior to law school, Tyler volunteered and worked with a major public sector union, and was an active participant in the Hamilton and greater area labour community.
Outside of work, Tyler is a very proud and obsessed father to a wonderful son. He is happy to talk about his kid ad nauseum. He is also the son of a union organizer, who taught him the importance of solidarity and collective action.
Notable matters that Tyler has been involved in include but are not limited to the following:
· Working Families Coalition (Canada) Inc. v Ontario (Attorney General): successfully argued that several provisions of the Election Finances Act were violations of the right to freedom of expression and the right to vote;
· Ontario English Catholic Teachers Assoc. v His Majesty: successfully argued that public sector wage restraint legislation was contrary to the freedom of association;
· Central East Local Health Integration Network v Ontario Nurses’ Association: successfully argued that the duty to accommodate requires an employer to participate in a regulator’s licensing procedures following an employee’s disability-related leave;
· McWilliam v Toronto Police Services Board: successfully represented a female police officer subjected to repeat instances of sexual harassment and assault in the policing sector, obtaining precedent-setting damages for the client;
· Ontario Nurses Association v Eatonville/Henley Place: obtained an injunction requiring a group of employers to ensure healthcare workers had adequate access to life-saving personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic;
· Regional Municipality of Waterloo (Sunnyside Home) v Ontario Nurses’ Association: secured reinstatement and damages for a nurse terminated for diversion of narcotics from her workplace in relation to her disability;
· St. Michael’s Hospital v Ontario Nurses’ Association: successfully argued that a vaccinate or mask policy in the context of the influenza virus was unreasonable;
· Queens and Regina Gardens v Liuna Local 1110: successfully argued that certain wage increases should be rolled into the base hourly rate for newly created classifications.