Blog
Khatib v. GoEasy Ltd.: A Good News, Bad News Case for Employers
The Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Williamson v. Brandt Tractor Inc., 2026 ONCA 272, is a familiar wrongful dismissal dispute, but one that highlights issues employers and employees continue to face: the high threshold for just cause, what mitigation truly requires, and how courts treat post‑termination earnings.
Good News for Employers: Wayfair Upholds “At Any Time” Termination Language
Employers in Ontario have faced challenges with termination clauses in employment agreements, particularly when using phrases like “at any time,” which courts have sometimes found to violate the Employment Standards Act (ESA). However, in Li v. Wayfair Canada ULC. (2025 ONSC 2959), the Ontario Superior Court upheld a termination clause using that exact phrase, offering positive news for employers. This decision provides clarity on enforceability and signals a shift that could impact how employment contracts are drafted moving forward.
Ontario Court Confirms Enforceability of ESA-Only Termination Provision
Employers and employees in Ontario have long been permitted to contract out of common law notice entitlements, provided their agreements meet or exceed statutory minimums under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). However, in recent years, courts have closely scrutinized termination provisions, leading to increased uncertainty for employers.
The recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision in Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc., 2024 ONSC 5593, provides welcome clarity, reaffirming that properly drafted termination provisions will be enforced—even when they limit an employee’s entitlements to ESA minimums. The decision also demonstrates how employers can use procedural tools like Rule 21 motions to resolve contractual interpretation disputes efficiently.
Termination Provisions Scrutinized in Dufault Case
A recent decision of our Superior Court out of Thunder Bay has caught our attention (and the attention of most employment lawyers) as another example of the court broadening the application of the Ontario Court of Appeal’s 2020 Waksdale case.
