Whistleblower Protection Lawyer

Witnessing fraudulent, dangerous, or otherwise wrongful conduct at your workplace can be distressing.

While reporting these issues is a brave step, many employees fear retaliation from their employers. Fortunately, Ontario law offers some protections for whistleblowers, ensuring that those who report misconduct are shielded from negative consequences.

Oftentimes however, it is best to consult with our whistleblower protection lawyers at Bobila Walker Law.

Ontario

In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) protects employees who report workplace health and safety violations, and the Employment Standards Act (ESA) shields those who report violations of employment standards or unlawful activities. These laws ensure that employees can raise concerns without the fear of facing retaliation, such as termination, demotion, or harassment.

Despite these protections, some workers still worry about potential repercussions. If you believe your employer is retaliating against you for reporting wrongdoing, legal options may be available to hold them accountable and safeguard your rights.

Bobila Walker Law is here to help you navigate the legal process, offering guidance and support to protect your career and ensure you are treated fairly. If you’re considering reporting misconduct at work, reaching out for legal advice can help you understand your rights and take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

Ontario Securities Commission

As part of its mandate to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) launched a whistleblower program in July 2016, the first of its kind by a Canadian securities regulator. The program accepts tips on possible violations of Ontario securities law, offers protections for individuals who come forward, as well as a reward of up to $5 million for tips that lead to enforcement action.
Examples of violations include illegal insider trading, tipping, fraud, misleading corporate disclosure or financial statements and trading-related misconduct.

In Canada, private sector employees who blow the whistle on wrongdoing in the workplace are protected by various laws, although the protections can vary depending on the nature of the misconduct and the jurisdiction. Here’s an overview of key protections for whistleblowers in the private sector:

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Legislation

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) in most provinces, employees are protected when they report unsafe working conditions, health hazards, or environmental risks. Whistleblowers cannot be punished, discriminated against, or fired for reporting safety violations.

Employment Standards

The Employment Standards Act (ESA) in Ontario and similar laws in other provinces provide protections for employees who report violations related to wage theft, working hours, vacation pay, and other employment standards violations. Reporting such violations cannot result in retaliation or dismissal.

Federal Whistleblower Protection (Public Servants)

While primarily for federal public sector employees, the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA) provides protections for federal employees who report wrongdoing, such as corruption, fraud, or other misconduct. This act allows employees to disclose such information without fear of reprisal.

Human Rights Protections

If an employee reports discrimination, harassment, or other violations under human rights laws, they are generally protected from retaliation under both federal and provincial human rights legislation. Whistleblowing on violations related to human rights, such as racism, sexism, or harassment, is safeguarded.

Anti-Retaliation Protections

Many provinces have specific legal provisions against retaliation for reporting misconduct. For example, in Ontario, the Employment Standards Act provides protection against retaliation for employees who complain about violations such as unpaid wages or wrongful dismissal. This means that any retaliatory action, such as firing, demotion, or harassment, could be challenged legally.

Public Interest Disclosure Protections

Some provinces have implemented public interest disclosure legislation that offers protection for whistleblowers reporting significant fraud, corruption, or safety concerns in private sector companies. These disclosures are generally protected as long as they are made in good faith.

Defamation Protection

In some cases, a whistleblower may also be protected from defamation lawsuits if they are making disclosures in good faith about unlawful or harmful activities at work.

Please call our whistleblower protection lawyers located in Toronto for a consultation at 416-847-1859.

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our Team

Daniel Walker – Managing Partner

DANIEL

WALKER

MANAGING PARTNER

Daniel Walker is the Managing Partner of Bobila Walker Law and a seasoned litigator whose practice focuses on complex estate, civil, and family disputes. With a reputation for navigating high-stakes matters involving fiduciary breaches, multi-jurisdictional assets, and intricate legal frameworks, Daniel combines legal precision with strategic insight across several intersecting practice areas.

Estate, Trusts & Fiduciary Litigation

Daniel’s principal area of expertise lies in wills, trusts, and estate litigation. He has extensive experience litigating matters involving:

  • Contested will challenges
  • Breaches of fiduciary duty and trust
  • Power of attorney disputes
  • Guardianship and capacity litigation
  • Dependant’s relief claims under the Succession Law Reform Act
  • Complex intestacies
  • Trust rectification and variation applications
    He also routinely acts as an estate trustee or executor on behalf of domestic and international clients and serves as Power of Attorney for Property and Personal Care.

Passing of Accounts (Contentious & Non-Contentious)

Daniel advises beneficiaries and fiduciaries on passing of accounts applications, with a focus on tracing assets, scrutinizing expenditures, and litigating claims of misappropriation or negligent administration.

Complex Family Law & Cross-Border Litigation

Daniel brings unique expertise to family law disputes:

  • High-value family litigation involving international property, hidden assets, and jurisdictional disputes between Canada and Europe.
  • Advises clients through every phase of separation, divorce and related disputes. 
  • Handles contested and collaborative matters alike, including division of family property (from personal assets to complex business interests), child-custody and support issues under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, and spousal maintenance. 
  • Enforcement of prenuptial, postnuptial and cohabitation agreements, represents clients in mediations, arbitrations and trials, and manages post-judgment enforcement or variation applications to ensure court orders remain fair as circumstances change.

German-Speaking Legal Services

Fluent in German, Daniel frequently advises clients on civil litigation, probate, and estate matters with ties to German-speaking jurisdictions. He also speaks Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian, and is equipped to manage cross-border mandates involving multiple legal systems.

Professional Background

Prior to entering private practice, Daniel served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in Ottawa. During law school, he worked with:

  • The in-house legal team at Rogers Communications
  • The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

Daniel regularly appears before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, including the Estates List and Commercial List.

 

Guardianship and Power of Attorney Disputes

Daniel Walker is a trusted Ontario litigator whose practice is devoted to adult guardianship and capacity law.  Drawing on extensive courtroom experience and a deep understanding of the Substitute Decisions Act, he guides families and individuals through the complexities of contested guardianship applications with clarity, compassion and precision. Whether an urgent interim order is required to secure a vulnerable adult’s property or comprehensive preparations must be made for a full hearing, Daniel navigates every procedural step and ensures his clients know what to expect at each stage.

Estates Administration

Drawing on deep expertise in the Estates Administration Act and the Estates Act, he oversees probate applications, ensures timely compliance with statutory obligations and protects fiduciaries from personal liability. Recognizing that even straightforward estates can give rise to contested issues—whether challenges to joint-account strategies, claims under Pecore v. Pecore or disputes over executor conduct—Daniel provides proactive counsel to prevent costly delays and litigation.

Beyond routine administration, Daniel advises on the management of high-value and complex estates and trusts, including investment oversight, cross-border transfers and the settlement of debts prior to distribution. He drafts and negotiates mediation agreements in mandatory estate-dispute mediations, handles fiduciary accounting and, where necessary, advocates for clients in contested proceedings. With a focus on preserving estate value and safeguarding trustee and executor interests, Daniel delivers dependable legal counsel tailored to each client’s unique situation.

Civil and Commercial Litigation

Daniel Walker is a seasoned civil and commercial litigator who advocates for individuals, corporations and partnerships in complex business disputes. Drawing on a thorough command of Ontario’s Rules of Civil Procedure and decades of courtroom experience, he guides clients through high-stakes shareholder oppression and partnership breakdown claims, negotiates and litigates breaches of contract and other commercial obligations, and resolves contentious real-estate and property-ownership disputes. Whether you face allegations of defamation that threaten your reputation or professional-negligence claims that endanger your practice, Daniel marshals tailored strategies—combining vigorous trial advocacy with pragmatic settlement negotiations—to protect your interests and achieve commercially sensible outcomes. From case inception through appeal, he manages every procedural step, coordinates expert evidence, and provides clear advice so that you always understand your options and the likely path forward.

Elder Abuse & Elder Law

With extensive experience under the Substitute Decisions Act and related legislation, Daniel Walker combines proactive planning—drafting carefully tailored powers of attorney and guardianship applications—with decisive legal action to secure urgent relief where seniors’ safety or assets are at risk.

Whether you’re concerned about unexplained injuries, unauthorized financial transactions or signs of neglect in a care facility, Daniel provides clear, compassionate guidance every step of the way, coordinating with medical and financial experts to investigate allegations, freeze suspect transactions and restore decision-making authority to the vulnerable adult. His priority is ensuring that every client and family he serves obtains prompt, practical protection and peace of mind.

Whistleblower Protection & Crisis Management

Daniel provides legal support to whistleblowers, professionals, and institutions navigating:

  • Professional discipline proceedings
  • Matters of national security and confidentiality
  • Public sector accountability under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
  • International immunity and state actor litigation

With deep experience handling workplace-related and service-related human rights disputes, Daniel guides clients through every stage of the process: from initial fact-gathering and document preparation to mediation, Tribunal hearings and, if necessary, appeals. He pursues remedies ranging from financial compensation and reinstatement to public-interest orders requiring systemic policy changes. By blending pragmatic risk management with rigorous advocacy, Daniel ensures that his clients remain compliant with Canada’s shifting human rights landscape and that those who suffer discrimination obtain prompt, effective redress.

MARIA BOBILA
Partner
LORRAINE SEALE
Senior Estates Law Clerk
ANANTA ROOPNARINE
Family Law Clerk

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The firm was kind and compassionate in dealing with my situation, and was always available to answer any questions that I had. I ended up winning my appeal and am now able to pursue my goal

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