• About
  • Offices
  • Careers
  • News
  • Students
  • Alumni
  • Payments
  • FR
Background Image
Bennett Jones Logo
  • People
  • Expertise
  • Knowledge
  • Search
  • FR Menu
  • Search Mobile
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
View all
Practices
Corporate Litigation Regulatory Tax View all
Industries
Capital Projects Energy Funds & Finance Mining View all
Advisory
Crisis & Risk Management ESG Strategy and Solutions Governmental Affairs & Public Policy
View Client Work
International Experience
Insights News Events
New Energy Economy Series Business Law Talks Podcast Economic Outlook
ESG & the CIO Subscribe
People
Practices
Industries
Advisory Services
Client Work
About
Offices
News
Careers
Insights
Law Students
Events
Search
Alumni
Payments
Subscribe

Stay informed on the latest business and legal insights and events.

LinkedIn LinkedIn Twitter Twitter Vimeo Vimeo
 
Blog

Random Drug and Alcohol Testing on Hold in Alberta

December 12, 2017

Written By Laura Inglis and Michael S. Sestito

Justice Belzil of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench has granted an injunction prohibiting Suncor Energy Inc. (Suncor) from implementing random drug and alcohol testing at its work site north of Fort McMurray (Unifor, Local 707A v Suncor Energy Inc, 2017 ABQB 752 [Suncor Injunction]). 

Unifor, Local 707A (Unifor) applied for an injunction following the decision of the Alberta Court of Appeal sending the matter back to arbitration (see Suncor Energy Inc. v Unifor Local 707A, 2017 ABCA 313 [Suncor CA]). 

In the Suncor Injunction decision, Justice Belzil noted that the conflicting evidence proffered to him favoured granting the injunction as Unifor seeks leave to appeal Suncor CA to the Supreme Court of Canada. In making his decision, Justice Belzil reiterated the importance of both safety and privacy concerns:

As was highlighted in the Irving decision, privacy rights of workers are as important as safety concerns. In particular, the taking of bodily samples from anyone engages important constitutional issues. If [Unifor] is ultimately successful in the arbitration process, I do not accept that the impact on the privacy and dignity of the workers could be remedied (Suncor Injunction, at paras 57-58).

Suncor is appealing Justice Belzil's decision. 

In short, the case for random drug and alcohol testing is far from closed.

Download PDF

Author

  • Laura  Inglis Laura Inglis, Partner

How Sustainable is the Government of Canada's Current Fiscal Plan?

Related Links

  • Insights
  • Media
  • Subscribe

Recent Posts

Blog

Alberta Court Confirms Exclusive Jurisdiction of Labour [...]

February 03, 2023
       

Blog

Competition Bureau Seeks Feedback on Enforcement Guidance [...]

February 03, 2023
       

Blog

New CSA Exemption Relating to Proxy Requirements For [...]

February 03, 2023
       

Blog

What's Done is Done: Alberta Court of Appeal Declines [...]

February 01, 2023
       

Blog

Electric Contracts for Electric Vehicles: The Key Considerations

February 01, 2023
       
Bennett Jones Centennial Footer
Bennett Jones Centennial Footer
About
  • Leadership
  • Diversity
  • Community
  • Innovation
  • Security
  • History
Offices
  • Calgary
  • Edmonton
  • Montréal
  • Ottawa
  • Toronto
  • Vancouver
  • New York
Connect
  • Insights
  • News
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Students
  • Alumni
Subscribe

Stay informed on the latest business and legal insights and events.

LinkedIn LinkedIn Twitter Twitter Vimeo Vimeo
© Bennett Jones LLP 2023. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
Logo Bennett Jones