Has COVID-19 changed restaurant insurance forever?
July 13, 2023 Jason ContantCanada’s hospitality sector was particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with government-mandated shutdowns and restrictions grinding the industry to a halt. Now, as restaurants return to pre-pandemic foot traffic and revenue levels, the need for insurance solutions and capacity is…
New constitutional “sanctuary” for impaired drivers who leave the highway to stop
June 22, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIf you drive drunk in Ontario, it’s your way or the highway. Impaired drivers can now find “sanctuary” by pulling off a public “highway” and on to private property when they see a police car, a Court of Appeal for…
What B.C. trial lawyers are asking of Canada’s top court in RSA dispute
May 25, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia is asking Canada’s top court to essentially make a “new law” barring a liability insurer from taking an off-coverage position after starting to defend a tort claim if the insurer previously had “presumed…
Bar owners that offer rare wine and spirits carve takeout business model
July 8, 2020 Salmaan Farooqui - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Bar and restaurant owners who deal in specialty alcohol say they’ve carved out a new business model around Ontario’s relaxed rules for takeout liquor, and they’ll fight to make the system permanent. In late March, the Ontario government…
How liability coverage limits determined what this bar owed in commercial host lawsuit
May 25, 2020 by Greg MeckbachA bar found 20% liable for an impaired driving accident has to pay two-thirds of the plaintiff’s legal costs and wound up paying double for damages what the at-fault motorist paid. Hummel v. Jantzi, released May 14 by the Ontario…
This type of claim should dry up in Ontario with COVID-19
March 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWith the Ontario government ordering the closure of bars and nightclubs, this should eliminate – temporarily – one category of commercial liability claim. “I don’t think claims will be launched against commercial hosts at this time,” said Mouna Hanna, an…
Why new alcohol rules could be a risk management nightmare
July 17, 2019 by Greg MeckbachOntario now allows “happy hours” and “tailgate parties” but the fact that these are legal does not mean they are a good idea, suggests a lawyer who defends alcohol liability claims. Several new alcohol rules took effect in Ontario May…
Toronto city staff warn of ‘increased risk-taking behaviour’ when combining alcohol with caffeine drinks
March 14, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterToronto’s board of health will consider Monday a proposal to require organizers of events on city property to “be familiar” with a federal government warning against mixing alcohol with caffeinated energy drinks. Health Canada prohibits the sale of pre-packaged, premixed…
Three-day roadside suspensions for drug-impaired Ontario drivers start Oct. 2
September 29, 2016 by Canadian UnderwriterEffective this Monday, Ontario police will be able to impose three-day roadside licence suspensions for drivers found to be operating vehicles while impaired by a drug or by a combination of drugs and alcohol. The Transportation Statute Law Amendment Act…