Regulatory Defence Lawyers
Strategic Defence Against Regulatory Investigations & Enforcement Actions
Greenwood Law offers tailored defence for individuals and organizations responding to regulatory investigations, including workplace safety, professional licensing, privacy, environmental compliance, and corporate governance matters. Our workplace defence lawyers combine regulatory expertise with employment law insight to guide clients through every step of the regulatory process under Ontario statutory frameworks across Ontario and throughout Canada.
Greenwood Law Team
Greenwood Law’s regulatory defence lawyers bring over 15 years of combined expertise in workplace-related regulatory proceedings, professional discipline, and quasi-criminal matters across diverse industries and regulatory frameworks.
Understanding Regulatory Offences in the Workplace
Regulatory offences are violations of laws under statutes beyond the Criminal Code, including violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), professional licensing rules, privacy law breaches, consumer protection mandates, and corporate compliance failures. These may be prosecuted as provincial offences or quasi-criminal matters under Ontario law.
Notably, Ontario has recently introduced significant regulatory enforcement changes. Bill 30, the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025, proposes a new administrative penalty scheme under the OHSA that would allow inspectors to issue monetary penalties directly for violations without requiring formal prosecution or conviction. This represents a fundamental shift in how workplace safety violations are enforced, potentially creating more immediate liability for employers.
Responding to inspections, compliance orders, or prosecution requires procedural precision. Inconsistent responses, incomplete disclosures, or non-compliant protocols can lead to fines, license suspension, litigation, or public exposure. Legal counsel helps manage investigations, mitigate enforcement risk, and negotiate outcomes.
Common Regulatory Enforcement Scenarios
Workplace Safety Violations
OHSA violations including failure to maintain safe workplaces, inadequate training, insufficient personal protective equipment, or washroom facility cleanliness requirements (effective July 1, 2025).
Workplace Harassment & Violence
Violations of expanded workplace harassment provisions under the OHSA, now explicitly covering virtual harassment through information and communications technology.
Professional Licensing Breaches
Violations of professional regulatory body requirements affecting accountants, lawyers, real estate brokers, investment advisors, veterinarians, and other regulated professionals.
Privacy & Data Protection
Non-compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) or provincial privacy legislation.
Employment Standards Violations
Breaches of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), which now carries maximum fines of $100,000 (doubled from $50,000).
Environmental Compliance
Violations of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) or provincial environmental statutes.
Financial Regulatory Matters
Non-compliance with securities regulations, anti-money laundering requirements, or Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) directives.
Key Regulatory Considerations
Administrative Penalties & New Enforcement Powers
Under proposed Bill 30 amendments, provincial inspectors would be empowered to issue administrative penalties upon finding non-compliance, without requiring charges and conviction. If a penalty is paid, the person cannot be charged with an offence under the OHSA for the same contravention.
Professional Licensing Consequences
Regulatory proceedings before professional colleges can result in license suspension, revocation, or conditions independent of criminal or civil proceedings.
Multi-Forum Proceedings
Regulatory matters may proceed simultaneously with criminal prosecutions, civil claims, or employment disputes, requiring coordinated defence strategy.
Escalating Penalties for Repeat Violations
Courts may now consider prior convictions, multiple infractions, or a history of non-compliance when determining penalty amounts, with potential fines up to $750,000 per offence for multiple counts.
Procedural Fairness Requirements
Regulatory investigations must meet procedural fairness standards, including proper notice, opportunity to respond, and impartial decision-making.
Hear From Our Clients
Expert Breach of Trust Defence
Partner with experienced employment lawyers who understand fiduciary obligations and trust-based employment relationships while delivering strategic defence across civil, criminal, and regulatory proceedings.
Table of Contents
Hear From Our Clients
Expert Regulatory Defence & Compliance Strategy
Partner with experienced employment lawyers who understand regulatory frameworks and enforcement procedures while delivering strategic defence tailored to your industry and circumstances.
Strategic Procedure & Compliance Planning
Expertise Across the Regulatory Spectrum
We integrate workplace defence skills with employment law and compliance knowledge for matters across OHSA, professional licensing, privacy, environmental, and financial regulation.
Process-Driven Defence Approach
Our approach emphasizes defensible documentation and regulatory strategy to mitigate penalties while preserving organizational and professional standing.
Trusted Reputation & Risk Management
We manage liability exposure and reputational impact proactively, addressing both legal and business dimensions of regulatory matters.
Coordinated Multi-Forum Representation
Whether working with regulatory bodies, professional colleges, or criminal courts, we coordinate consistent strategy across all legal contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a workplace-related regulatory offence?
Any breach under statutes like the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, environmental acts, professional licensing rules, or consumer protection regulations. These are prosecuted under provincial frameworks, not the Criminal Code.
Can fines or orders follow regulatory enforcement actions?
Yes. Outcomes may include monetary fines, compliance orders, license restrictions, restitution orders, or operational limitations, depending on the regulatory context and severity of violation.
Is professional licensing at risk during regulatory proceedings?
Absolutely. Regulatory proceedings affecting healthcare professionals, lawyers, accountants, or other regulated professionals can result in severe sanctions, including license suspension or revocation, independent of criminal outcomes.
Can regulators impose penalties even without criminal charges?
Yes. Regulatory tribunals and agencies pursue enforcement separately through administrative frameworks or the Provincial Offences Act. Criminal charges and regulatory penalties operate independently.
Should legal counsel be engaged before regulator contact?
Yes. Early legal guidance helps frame responses, manage privilege, prevent inadvertent admissions, and reduce escalation risk before formal inquiries or enforcement actions begin.
How do the new OHSA administrative penalties work?
Under proposed Bill 30 provisions, inspectors would issue penalty notices for non-compliance with fines determined by regulation. Payment of the administrative penalty prevents prosecution for the same contravention, but the penalty cannot be appealed once paid.
Contact Greenwood Law
Facing regulatory inspection, enforcement action, or compliance allegations requires immediate strategic legal counsel. Whether you’re an organization managing regulatory scrutiny or an individual defending your professional standing, Greenwood Law provides experienced guidance to protect your interests and ensure procedural fairness. Contact us for a confidential consultation.
Areas We Serve
At Greenwood Law, we proudly serve clients across Ontario & throughout Canada, including:
