Cory Boyd
B.A. Hons., LL.B., Associate
Social justice has always been important to Cory. Growing up, he became acutely aware of the fact that the laws designed to protect our human rights were not always applied equally to all. Cory was especially concerned for those unable to speak for themselves.
He soon found himself in that very position. Right after he graduated from high school, he headed to a remote town in rural Japan on a year-long student exchange. Unable to speak a word of Japanese and the only foreigner around for miles, he could have been completely isolated from the others. Instead, he was embraced by the entire community and treated as one of them. Touched by their warmth and kindness, he returned to Canada a different person than he left, with a deepened appreciation of the difference in being treated as an equal, and a resolve to devote his career to the protection of equal rights.
After earning a B.A. Honours in Economics, he enrolled in law school at the University of Toronto and took as many rights-based courses as he could.
Upon graduation, he was offered an articling position at the Ontario Human Rights Commission. In his element, he stayed on after passing the Bar, becoming an investigator into alleged human rights violations. All the research, analysis and report writing, done within tight timelines and under pressure, honed his writing and oral advocacy skills. He was promoted to a managerial role and given the responsibilities of leading a team of investigators, developing a training and coaching program, and ensuring the quality of service delivery to the public. While in that role, Cory developed a new model for investigating human rights complaints aimed at increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the process.
When workplace investigations were eliminated from the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s mandate in 2008, Cory moved to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to work in human rights and conflict resolution. He provided expert counsel to management on remedies and resolutions to the often complex issues that arose from within such a challenging workplace environment, and also led the workplace investigations. As well, he designed and delivered the education and training programs necessary to train staff on their rights and responsibilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention policy.
Cory’s next role was a Human Rights and Equity Consultant with Toronto Community Housing, an organization which houses approximately 165, 000 Torontonians. He dealt with the huge array of circumstances that make residents vulnerable, conducting investigations and teaching building managers to do their own investigations in response to human rights issues. He also developed a community-based customer service model, executing on one of the organization’s key deliverables.
These varied experiences allow Cory to effectively enter any type of workplace to conduct an appropriate investigation that meets the unique needs of the business environment. He also understands that it is important to develop strong, clear policies and procedures for employees and to ensure that all managers and employees are well trained on their rights and responsibilities. Cory has the skills necessary to work with an organization to create effective policies and procedures and to train staff at all levels on their roles within the process and the means by which issues will be addressed
As a valued member of the Rubin Thomlinson team, Cory conducts workplace investigations and delivers several of our training programs.
A Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada since 2002, Cory continues to advance his professional knowledge. Most recently, he completed courses in Bill 168 Compliance, PPT Anti-Homophobia, Mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Conciliation, Labour Relations, and Anti-Racism.
Contact: 416.847.1814 x 111
Email: info@rt-law.ca
