The Canadian Bar Association’s 2025 Administrative, Labour and Employment Law Conference brought together members of the bench, bar, and academia for two engaging days at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa on November 28–29, 2025. In a familiar and welcoming setting, the conference offered a well-balanced program that combined thoughtful legal analysis, practical guidance, and forward-looking discussion on issues shaping the future of administrative and employment law in Canada.
The conference opened with Professor Paul Daly’s Supreme Court of Canada Year in Review, a session that has become a mainstay of the program. With his customary clarity and insight, Professor Daly walked attendees through key recent developments, setting an informed and thoughtful tone for the discussions that followed.
Throughout the conference, participants explored a wide range of topics, including statutory interpretation and privative clauses, workplace harassment and workers’ compensation coverage, and emerging trends in labour law across the country. Sessions focused on access to justice and tribunal practice provided practical perspectives on advocacy before administrative decision-makers, while also addressing the evolving realities of modern practice.
Artificial intelligence was a recurring theme across the program, reflecting its growing presence in both legal practice and institutional decision-making. A standout session, Navigating the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Employment and Administrative Law, featured Amy Salyzyn, (University of Ottawa), Sukhi Dhillon Alberga (Bridging Legal Solutions) and Colin Lachance (PGYA Consulting). The panel offered a thoughtful and grounded discussion of the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in employment and administrative law contexts.
On the employment side, a timely plenary session examined how political and economic developments in the United States are affecting immigration, labour mobility, and temporary foreign workers. Will Tao (Heron Law Offices), Tamara Mosher-Kuczer (Lighthouse Immigration Law PC), and Ravi Jain (Jain Immigration Law) brought practical insight and perspective to a discussion of issues that continue to shape the Canadian labour market.
The conference concluded with a lively fireside judicial conversation with the Honourable Justice David W. Stratas of the Federal Court of Appeal. His candid and engaging remarks offered a fitting conclusion to a conference defined by thoughtful discussion and collegiality.
The success of the conference reflects the dedication of the CBA’s volunteer organizers, as well as the many speakers, moderators, and sponsors who generously shared their time and expertise. On behalf of the CBA, sincere thanks are extended to everyone who contributed to making the 2025 conference a meaningful and rewarding experience.
Stay tuned for updates on this year's conference, taking place on November 19th and 20th 2026 in Ottawa.