Joy Hulton, LL.B. Q. Med, Q. Arb.

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Joy is a qualified workplace mediator, arbitrator and conflict resolution facilitator. She combines 30 years of expertise in employment and labour law with 20+ years of leadership to support workplace parties with conflict management and resolution.   She offers a range of neutral third party services including facilitation, mediation, arbitration and med/arb; investigation; and workplace assessment. Joy also advises workplaces on harassment/discrimination and bullying prevention policies and programs. 

Joy began her career in employment and labour law with Osler Hoskin & Harcourt in 1991, representing employers in the public and private sectors in a wide range of matters including collective bargaining, arbitration, wrongful dismissal, human rights, and workplace safety. She joined The Regional Municipality of York in 1997 as Director, Employment & Labour Law and was appointed Regional Solicitor in 2004. Joy spent many years as lead negotiator for York Regional Police Services Board and was an active representative of the Big 12 Police Boards.  In 2014, Joy was appointed Commissioner of the Legal & Court Services Department. 

After a long and rewarding career in the public service, Joy launched her own practice as a mediator, arbitrator and conflict resolution facilitator in early 2020. In January 2021, Joy was appointed as an independent Special Advisor to the Ontario Provincial Police, advising on respect in the workplace, harassment prevention, and conflict resolution. From 2021-2022, Joy advised the OPP on and conducted workplace investigations, workplace assessment, and advised on the design and implementation of a new Resolution & Restoration Framework. She now supports a sector-wide working group in developing best practices for respectful workplaces in policing. 

Throughout her career, Joy has played leading role in employment and labour policy development across the municipal and broader public sectors.   She is a frequent speaker on a variety of HR and labour relations matters, and and is often called upon to consult on the development of provincial policy and legislation. 

Joy’s expertise includes specialized knowledge of emergency services: fire, paramedic services and police services. She understands the operational, legislative and workplace culture influences in these sectors and can apply her experience to assist these workplace parties with their unique challenges. 

Joy holds a B.A and LL.B. from Queen’s University; a Master Certificate in Municipal Management from York University, Schulich School of Business; and a Certificate in  Conflict Resolution from the Canadian Collaborative for Engagement and Conflict Management (CECM). Joy also holds designations of Qualified Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator with the ADR Institute of Canada/Ontario.  Joy is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and the Ontario Bar Association (ADR Section), and the Workplace Investigator Network roster.