About John Stout
John Stout is a mediator, arbitrator and independent investigator practicing in the Province of Ontario. He is on the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s approved list of grievance arbitrators. He is also on the Police Arbitration Commission Register of approved arbitrators and is an approved adjudicator under the Canada Labour Code. John’s practice includes mediating and adjudicating both rights and interest disputes in both the private and public sectors. He is named as a roster arbitrator in a number of collective agreements and is the Chief Arbitrator for all contracting out grievances between Essar Steel Algoma Inc. and United Steelworkers 2251.
John was educated at the University of Windsor, B.A. 1989, B.A. (hons.) 1990 and LL.B. 1993. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1995. The Law Society of Upper Canada granted him the designation of Certified Specialist (Labour Law) from October 24, 2006 until his resignation from active practice on July 31, 2008.
John has extensive experience in the adjudicative process. After his call to the Bar, he practiced law first as an associate at a small boutique labour and administrative law firm. Later, he joined a prominent labour and administrative law firm where he became a partner until he departed in 2008 to embark in a career of mediation and arbitration. While practicing law, he regularly appeared as counsel before administrative tribunals and in Court on matters involving labour relations, human rights, employment, pension and benefits.
John is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada (non-practicing). He is currently serving as an executive member of Ontario Labour Management Arbitrators Association. In addition, he is a member of the Canadian Bar Association Labour and Employment, and ADR sections (Executive member of the OBA Labour Law Section from 1999-2000).
John is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs.