Chris Pigott is a partner in the Litigation and Labour groups. His practice focuses on disputes and advisory work in labour, human rights, and public law matters. Chris represents some of Canada’s leading employers in their most consequential cases.
"Chris Pigott has a sharp legal mind and an unflappable demeanour. He truly understands business, is very responsive to client needs and is quick to complete projects even under the most tight timelines." Client interview, Chambers Canada (2022)
Litigation
Chris is a talented litigator who acts for clients in arbitrations, tribunal proceedings, and before the Courts. He routinely acts in judicial reviews, appeals, and other complex litigation arising from labour, human rights, and public law disputes. Chris has appeared as lead counsel in courts across Canada, including the Ontario courts, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Chambers Canada notes that Chris “is singled out for his representation of clients in court.”
Chris’ recent litigation experience includes:
- Successfully representing Canada Post in several challenges to its COVID-19 vaccination policies, including a successful motion to strike a class claim in Federal Court
- Successfully representing Air Canada in various labour arbitrations, including multiple national policy grievances and discharge cases
- Successfully representing one of the world’s largest companies before the Alberta Labour Relations Board in multiple union certification applications
- Successfully representing a New Brunswick-based group of companies in overturning labour arbitration decisions in the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia courts
- Successfully representing a national telecommunications company before the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal in judicial review proceedings arising from a human rights dispute
Chris has significant experience in matters that involve administrative or constitutional law issues, including litigation under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He acted as counsel before the Supreme Court in two of the leading cases on labour rights under the Charter: Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (right to strike) and Mounted Police Association of Ontario (right to collective bargaining).
Chris is “a great legal mind. He is extremely astute and very approachable; a top-notch lawyer.” Client interview, Chambers Canada (2021)
Negotiation
Outside of litigation, Chris is a skilled negotiator who frequently represents employers and related associations in collective bargaining and other negotiations (both as spokesperson and negotiation advisor).
Chris’ recent negotiation experience includes:
- Representing Air Canada in collective bargaining and interest arbitration with its flight attendants’ union
- Coordinating collective bargaining across multiple provinces for one of Canada’s largest food retailers
- Acting as strategic advisor in negotiations between the Ontario and federal governments and health care providers concerning compensation for publicly-funded health care services
“Chris is incredible at strategy – that is really his strength. He is extremely thoughtful.” Client interview, Chambers Canada (2024)
Federal Sector
Chris and Fasken are at the forefront of legal and policy developments impacting federally-regulated employers. A large part of Chris’ practice is devoted to representing employers across the federal sector, including in transportation, telecommunications, banking, and other national industries. He acts as counsel to FETCO, the association that serves as the principal representative to employers in the federal sector. In this role, Chris is frequently consulted by federal employers on legislative reform and policy initiatives, and engages with senior officials within the federal government on these issues. He has represented FETCO as lead counsel in the Supreme Court on leading cases concerning the proper interpretation of the Canada Labour Code, such as Canada Post v. CUPW (federal sector health hand safety inspections) and AECL v. Wilson (unjust dismissal in the federal sector).
International Practice
Chris advises Canadian, foreign, and multinational employers on business and human rights, international labour standards, the international union movement, and cross-border industrial relations. He provides advice and representation to FETCO in its capacity as the exclusive representative of Canadian employers on the international stage concerning global labour, employment, and human rights issues.
Chris is also a lead Fasken contact for clients (operating both inside and outside Canada) on how best to manage the risk of human rights impacts in their operations and supply chains. He has extensive experience guiding clients on corporate reporting obligations, including those under Canada’s new Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act.
Community Involvement
Chris is a member of the Advisory Board to the University of Toronto’s Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Rights, where he teaches a course on International Developments as an adjunct faculty member. Chris has also taught labour, employment, and constitutional law at the Western University Faculty of Law, Queen’s University Faculty of Law, and the Osgoode Hall Law School Certificate in Labour Law.
Throughout his career, Chris has been recognized by his peers and others for his legal work, including by Lexpert as one of Canada’s top lawyers under the age of 40.
