Reine Lafond
LawyerReine Lafond, Ad. E., CIRC
LawyerAssistant
Melanie Frangiosa
450 973-4020 #264
[email protected]
Reine Lafond is a partner-owner in the firm. As head of our occupational health and safety department, she works exclusively in this field. Her cutting-edge expertise was honed from her early career in the CSST’s legal department (now CNESST). Ms. Lafond provides our clients with strategic support and advice, and she represents them before the courts and administrative tribunals, including the Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT). She defends our clients' interests in matters related to employment injury compensation, financing of the CNESST's compensation regime (scheme) and prevention-inspection programs. An accomplished lecturer and instructor, she sits on various committees involved in health and safety, just as she is the author of several publications in this specialized field. Ms. Lafond was awarded the distinction of Advocatus Emeritus by the Quebec Bar in 2022, notably for the excellence of her professional career.
Academic training
- Université de Montréal - LL.B. - 1992
Professional Affiliations
- Member of the Barreau du Québec
- Member of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE) since 2016
- Member of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés since 2002
Involvement / Outreach
Nominations
- Selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in Canada, in the practice area of Worker's Compensation Law, since 2022
- Recommended by Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory:
- Worker's Compensation, since 2013
- Occupational Health and Safery, since 2022
Specialized Committees
- Member of the Comité SST of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, since 2016
- Member of the employers' association of the Comité technique sur la réparation (3.73) of the Board of directors of the CSST (now the CNESST), since 2015
- President of the organizing committee of the annual seminar of the Formation continue of the Barreau du Québec on Développements récents en droit de la santé et sécurité du travail, since 2016 (co-presidency in 2015 and member of the committee, since 2004)
- Member of the advisory committees ad hoc of Conseil du patronat du Québec, since 2004
Community involvement
- President of the Board of directors of the Fondation scolaire de Laval - 2017-2020
- Member of the Board of directors of the Fondation scolaire de Laval - 2013-2017
Publications
- La diligence raisonnable, vous connaissez ? Gestion Plus – Editorial, Éditions Yvon Blais, September 2022
- Modernisation du régime de santé et sécurité du travail : quelques conseils, Gestion Plus – Editorial, Éditions Yvon Blais, March 2022
- La Covid-19 : la peur et l’indemnisation des lésions psychologiques par la CNESST, Gestion Plus – Santé et sécurité en vrac, Éditions Yvon Blais, June 2020
- Harcèlement psychologique : le point sur la jonction des recours devant le TAT, Gestion Plus – Santé et sécurité en vrac, Éditions Yvon Blais, May 2018
- L’arrêt Caron et les défis à venir, Gestion Plus – Éditorial, Éditions Yvon Blais, March 2018
- L’emploi convenable et la Charte : la Cour d’appel tranche ! Gestion Plus – Santé et sécurité en vrac, August 2015
- Adoption de nouvelles politiques par la CSST : comment réagir ? Gestion Plus – Santé et sécurité en vrac, June 2015
- Réussir sa conciliation à la C.L.P. : mode d’emploi, Reine Lafond, Stéphanie Laurin and Karine Perrin, Collection Le Corre en bref volume 9, Éditions Yvon Blais, 2014, 207 pages
- Réduire les coûts des lésions professionnelles par l’assignation temporaire : Mode d’emploi, Reine Lafond, Geneviève Mercier and Karine Perrin, Collection Le Corre en bref volume 8, Éditions Yvon Blais, 2011, 187 pages
- L’inspecteur de la C.S.S.T. et vos politiques sur le harcèlement : des pouvoirs encore plus élargis, Gestion Plus – Éditorial, Éditions Yvon Blais, August 2010
- Documenter un dossier d’audience à la CLP : Mode d’emploi, Reine Lafond and Stéphanie Laurin, Collection Le Corre en bref volume 6, Éditions Yvon Blais, 2009, 224 pages
- La santé et sécurité du travail : une valeur à intégrer, Gestion Plus – Éditorial, Éditions Yvon Blais, February 2009, in collaboration with Mr. Régis Tremblay
- Réduire ses cotisations de la CSST par transferts et partages de coûts: Mode d’emploi, Reine Lafond, Mylène Lussier and Geneviève Mercier, Collection Le Corre en bref volume 5, Éditions Yvon Blais, 2008, 182 pages
- Comment la CSST financera-t-elle les coûts non imputés (CNI) ? Gestion Plus – Éditorial, Éditions Yvon Blais, June 2008, in collaboration with Mr. Marc-André Laliberté
- L’évanouissement au travail : le point sur l’indemnisation des blessures qui en résultent et l’imputation des coûts associés, Gestion Plus – Santé et sécurité en vrac, Éditions Yvon Blais, March 2008
- La surdité: s’entendre sur ce qui est professionnel et ce qui ne l’est pas, Gestion Plus – Santé et sécurité en vrac, Éditions Yvon Blais, April 2007
- Lésions professionnelles : Contrôle de l’abus et des coûts, Tout ce que l’employeur doit savoir, Reine Lafond, Catherine Bergeron et Marc-André Laliberté, Éditions Yvon Blais, 2006, 251 pages
- Le harcèlement psychologique : Tout ce que l’employeur doit savoir, Reine Lafond, Jacques Provencher and Linda Bernier, Éditions Yvon Blais, 2004, 315 pages
- Le harcèlement psychologique : un lien à faire entre les décisions de la CSST et les nouveaux articles de la Loi sur les normes, Gestion Plus – Santé et sécurité en vrac, Éditions Yvon Blais, January 2004
- Le devoir d’accommodement envers le travailleur victime de lésion professionnelle, nature et limites, Gestion Plus – Éditorial, Éditions Yvon Blais, June 2003
- Quand la conciliation à la C.L.P. mène au litige : revue jurisprudentielle portant sur l’existence d’un règlement hors cour, co-author with Me Stéphanie Laurin, Développements récents en droit de la santé et sécurité au travail 2015, Service de la formation continue du Barreau du Québec, volume 394, Éditions Yvon Blais, 2015, page 71
- Indemnisation des lésions professionnelles : un accès de plus en plus facile!, Perspective en droit du travail et de l’emploi, Bulletin de la section nationale du droit du travail et de l’emploi, Association du Barreau Canadien, February 2013
- Transfert de coûts : l’étau se resserre pour les enjeux financiers de moindre importance, Gestion Plus – Santé et sécurité en vrac, Éditions Yvon Blais, November 2012
- L’assignation temporaire : une mesure incontournable dont tout le monde profite, Effectif, le magazine de l’Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés, September-October 2012, page 28
- La notion d’événement imprévu et soudain sous la loupe, Effectif, le magazine de l’Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés, April-May 2010, page 36
- La filature 10 ans après Bridgestone/Firestone : admissibilité devant la CLP, utilité et conséquences, Développements récents en droit de la santé et sécurité au travail 2010, Service de la formation continue du Barreau du Québec, volume 318, Éditions Yvon Blais, 2010, page 189
- Le droit au retour au travail : examen pratique de ses paramètres d’exercice, co-author with Me Stéphanie Laurin, Développements récents en droit de la santé et sécurité au travail 2003, Service de la formation permanente du Barreau du Québec, volume 183, Éditions Yvon Blais, 2003, page 61
- L’indemnisation des lésions psychologiques liées au travail : dernières tendances..., Développements récents en droit de la santé et sécurité au travail 1997, Service de la formation permanente du Barreau du Québec, volume 86, Éditions Yvon Blais, 1997, page 245
Conferences
- May 1st, 2022 : CNESST : S’outiller et s’informer – 10 pratiques gagnantes pour optimiser la gestion des lésions professionnelles – conference for the annuel convention of l’Association des Ressources Intermédiaires d’Hébergement du Québec
- May 29, 2019 : La filature dans le cadre d’une lésion professionnelle : Examen pratique des balises à respecter, conference organized by Les Éditions Yvon Blais to employers's managers
- Le travailleur négligent et la LATMP: examen pratique de la jurisprudence en matière d’admissibilité et d’imputation des coûts, Comité Inter-Entreprises du Montréal Métropolitain (CIEMM), February 13, 2015
- L’inspecteur de la CSST, son cadre d’intervention et les conséquences, Corporation des services d’ambulance du Québec (CSAQ), November 19 and 20, 2014
- L’indemnisation des lésions psychologiques des techniciens ambulanciers paramédics par la CSST, Corporation des services d’ambulance du Québec (CSAQ), November 19 and 20, 2014
- Plaider la négligence du travailleur? Pourquoi pas, sauf que…, Centre patronal de santé et sécurité du travail du Québec (CPSST), June 6 and 13, 2014
- Réclamation pour lésion psychologique : comment s’opposer à l’indemnisation par la CSST? Webinar broadcast by Éditions Yvon Blais inc., November 22, 2013
- Analyse pratique de cas d’intérêt, Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ) - Conference intended to members from employer associations sitting on the Commission des lésions professionnelles, April 25, 2014
- Splendeurs et misères de l’assignation temporaire, Association des professionnels en santé au travail (APST) : Travailler en santé : mission possible!, May 3, 2012
- Étude de cas complexes, Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ) - Conference intended to members from employer associations sitting on the Commission des lésions professionnelles, 20 avril 2012
- Gestion des lésions psychologiques : de la théorie à la pratique, Regroupement de réseaux en santé des personnes au travail (RRSPT), June 3, 2010
- Maitrisez l’imputation pour réduire vos cotisations, Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec (FCSQ), May 18 and 19, 2010
- La filature 10 ans après Bridgestone/Firestone : admissibilité devant la CLP, utilité et conséquences, Développements récents en droit de la santé et sécurité du travail de la Formation continue du Barreau du Québec, April 16, 2010
- Consommation, abus et dépendances : leur impact sur l’indemnisation par la CSST, Association des professionnels en santé au travail (APST): Les dépendances en milieu de travail, nouvelles réalités et perspectives, April 14, 2010
- CSST: maîtrisez l’imputation pour réduire vos cotisations, Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés (ORHRI), February 19, 2010
- Tout ce que l’employeur doit savoir en cas de pandémie, Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés (ORHRI), May 11, 2006
- Santé et sécurité du travail et mesures disciplinaires, Fédération des Commissions scolaires du Québec (FCSQ), May 3 and 4, 2006
- Harcèlement et droit de gérance : où est la frontière?, Regroupement des professionnels en ressources humaines de Laval, April 28, 2004
- Le droit au retour au travail : examen pratique de ses paramètres d’exercice, Développements récents en droit de la santé et sécurité du travail de la Formation permanente du Barreau du Québec, February 7, 2003
- Le droit au retour au travail : examen pratique de ses paramètres d’exercice, Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ) - Conference intended to members from employer associations sitting on the Commission des lésions professionnelles, December 6 and 13, 2002
Previous involvements
- Member representing employers for the technical repair committee (3.73) of the Conseil d’Administration de la CSST/CNESST - 2015-2016
- Teacher at École du Barreau du Québec – 2005-2012
- Member of the Disciplinary committee of the Barreau du Québec – 2007-2013
- Member of the Board of directors of the Comité Inter-Entreprises du Montréal Métropolitain (CIEMM) - 2003-2009
Workshops
Major changes have modernized the legal framework for occupational health and safety. The Act to modernize the occupational health and safety system was assented to on October 6, 2021 by the National Assembly after months of debate and demands reflecting the interests of various stakeholders: workers, employers, health professionals, etc. Some measures have already come into force. Others will be implemented gradually in the months and years to come. The questions are already numerous: Who will have to set up a health and safety committee? What will be the power of the CNESST in matters of return to work? Is the employer's right to cost sharing and transfer affected? What occupational injuries will be easier for workers to prove? This workshop provides a first overview of the main changes and their impact on the daily life of employers. In order to maintain the friendly approach that characterizes our training sessions, we will limit registration to 20 participants. This workshop will be offered remotely.
Learn moreThe Act to establish the Administrative Labour Tribunal provides the parties with a choice option in the context of a hearing: conciliation. Thanks to this flexible process, the employer can enter into an agreement that is intended to be beneficial. Reduce the risks, costs and financial impacts of employment injuries, as well as preparation time for a hearing before the TAT, division SST by learning to negotiate your own conciliations and settle your disputes yourself.
If you would like to learn more, there are four other workshops on work-related injuries available. GET A DISCOUNT ON THE PURCHASE OF SEVERAL WORKSHOPS. SEE THE COMBO COURSES SECTION.
Sound management of employment injuries means taking effective, timely actions. In the context of this workshop, new managers will gain the basic knowledge they need to assess the eligibility of employment injury claims and to challenge them. They will know how to set up a temporary assignment, and when and how to activate the medical assessment process. They will learn to make effective use of the challenge mechanisms provided by law.
If you would like to learn more, there are four other workshops on work-related injuries available. GET A DISCOUNT ON THE PURCHASE OF SEVERAL WORKSHOPS. SEE THE COMBO COURSES SECTION.
The Criminal Code foresees that all managers - from CEOs to foremen - may be held criminally liable for health and safety infractions. As the first criminal lawsuits are being launched against companies and the CNESST is watching employers more closely than ever - what do you need to know, and what should you do?
Learn moreSound management of occupational injuries means taking effective, timely action.
If you'd like to learn more, five workshops are available on the subject of occupational injuries.
Get a discount on the purchase of several workshops:
One workshop : 595,00 $/person plus taxes
Two workshops : 1 100,00 $/person plus taxes
Three workshops : 1 600,00 $/person plus taxes
Four workshops : 2 000,00 $/person plus taxes
Five workshops : 2 400,00 $/person plus taxes
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - Whether you work in labour relations or occupational health and safety, this training is for you! On October 6, 2022, new provisions on vocational rehabilitation came into force, expressly integrating into the AIAOD the concept of the employer's duty to accommodate a worker with a disability resulting from his or her employment injury. This new regime, which has been broadened to promote reintegration into the workplace, is nevertheless restrictive for employers. Increased powers have been given to the CNESST, which will become the "project manager" of the accommodation exercise. During this training session, we will shed light on the duty to accommodate and its limits, from a practical perspective that will enable you to interact with the CNESST in an informed manner in your rehabilitation files.
If you would like to learn more, there are four other workshops on work-related injuries available. GET A DISCOUNT ON THE PURCHASE OF SEVERAL WORKSHOPS. SEE THE COMBO COURSES SECTION.
As an employer subject to retrospective billing, each dollar paid by the CNESST to compensate an employee can ultimately cost you up to $5.50 in contributions, and can amount to nearly $8.00 at the time of the interim adjustment. Learn how this billing methodology works, and how to use it to your advantage by implementing clear orientations and concrete actions. Understand how actions taken in the context of managing compensation case files can impact your CNESST expenses (contributions and adjustments). This training will allow you to gain a general understanding of retrospective billing, and will prove useful in developing your management strategies. It will enable you to better understand the actions that lead to credits and/or situations that entail contribution surcharges.
Learn moreDespite appropriate actions taken in managing employment injury claims, some cases can get past even the most seasoned managers. Due to their medical complexity, or the recurring issues they involve and that impede the effectiveness of your actions, such cases often require a great deal of energy, with little results. Learn to control costs and to optimize management in such complex cases. This workshop will review applicable solutions in cases involving fraudulent claims, as well as obstacles to setting up a temporary assignment and to the medical assessment. In addition, we will address the importance of a consistent challenge strategy in order to minimize the duration of compensation.
If you would like to learn more, there are four other workshops on work-related injuries available. GET A DISCOUNT ON THE PURCHASE OF SEVERAL WORKSHOPS. SEE THE COMBO COURSES SECTION.
SST contributions are a critical budget issue for most employers. Too many employment injuries are the result of third party involvement or of a personal condition which predisposes a worker to injury under circumstances which are not normally hazardous. There are cost transferring and cost sharing mechanisms which can alleviate the impact of such situations.
If you would like to learn more, there are four other workshops on work-related injuries available. GET A DISCOUNT ON THE PURCHASE OF SEVERAL WORKSHOPS. SEE THE COMBO COURSES SECTION.
Under the Act respecting Occupational Health and Safety, the CNESST inspector has a broad range of powers. His/her intervention in a given workplace can have serious consequences for an employer. But rest assured there are a number of recourses and defenses available to you. This workshop will allow you to determine when and how to use them effectively.
Learn moreTo the exclusive service of employers, Le Corre offers training workshops and publications on subjects solely pertaining to labour law. Both these tools help managers and human resources professionals to deal more effectively with the daily legal framework of their businesses.