When the Regulator Comes Calling: Managing Inspections and Investigations

This session will examine the scope of a regulator’s authority to inspect or investigate individuals and work sites in pursuit of a prosecution under a regulatory statute (for example: occupational health and safety, environmental or taxation). We will explore the legal consequences of an investigation (where the regulator is trying to gather evidence in support of a prosecution) and an inspection (where a regulator is seeking to monitor general compliance) across a number of common regulatory contexts, along with how best to manage the process. A big part of avoiding charges and successfully defending prosecutions involves having a plan and knowing how to respond to regulators when they conduct their inspections and investigations.

Meghan Ross, Partner, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP  

Meghan’s practice is focused predominantly on civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction litigation.  Meghan acts and assists on a wide variety of construction disputes, including representation of owners, contractors and subcontractors in claims arising during construction, as well as those involving product liability, delay, cost overruns, faulty workmanship and builders’ liens.

Meghan’s administrative law practice is centred on providing advice to administrative tribunals and professionally regulated self-governing professions.  Within this area, Meghan has experience with human rights, both under human rights legislation and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

Meghan also has experience assisting clients with a variety of legal issues in a broad range of areas, including contractual disputes, negligence, personal injury, debtor/creditor litigation, terminations and wrongful dismissals.

Meghan articled with Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP in 2012 and joined the firm as an associate in 2013.

Neil Steen,  Associate, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP  

Neil is an associate lawyer at TDS with a practice that focuses on civil litigation.

Neil has extensive courtroom experience, having appeared and argued in all levels of Court in Manitoba, including the Court of Appeal as well as the Supreme Court of Canada. During his time as a Crown Attorney with the Department of Justice, he prosecuted all manner of offences ranging from impaired driving to murder. Over the years, Neil’s practice focused primarily on appellate advocacy and prosecutions in the context of criminal organizations.

Neil spent the summers of 2007 & 2008 as a summer student with TDS. He returned in the spring of 2009 as an Articling Student-at-Law. Following his Call to the Bar in 2010, Neil practised with the Manitoba Department of Justice as a Crown Attorney until 2023. He is thrilled to return to private practice with TDS.

WCA Cancellation Policy

WCA will provide a full refund or education credit equal to the amount paid for the course if registration is cancelled two (2) full business days prior to the course start date. Payment is non-refundable for cancellations made within two (2) full business days of the course start date and there will be no transfers to future course dates.

Complimentary substitution of another member of your company/team is welcome right up until the course start time for no additional fee. Please email us at wcaeducation@winnipegconstruction.ca if you require a substitution.