Mr. Pierre-Olivier Ménard Dumas’s practice is mainly focused on transportation law and he is involved in all aspects of surface transportation law including commercial, penal and regulatory litigation as well as in the contractual aspects of the transportation of freight and passengers in Canada.
Mr. Ménard Dumas frequently represents domestic and international clients, such as surface carriers, shippers, warehouse operators, third-party logistics providers, owner operators and lessor or lessee of equipment with regards to the negotiation of various transportation agreements and the litigation of issues arising from such agreements, or its prevention. . He is often involved in claims for cargo loss, delay or damage and unpaid freight charges. He has sound technical knowledge of the various laws and regulations governing the motor carrier’s civil liability.
He is also routinely involved in the Commercial and Labor teams. His knowledge with regards to federal and provincial laws and regulations, and the provincial application of the Canadian National Safety Code of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators allows for a better, safer and seamless repositioning and licensing of the commercial vehicles during merger and acquisition and reorganisation of corporation entities involved in the transportation industry.
Mr. Ménard Dumas’s collaboration also extends to our labour and employment section where he is in a position to have the firm’s clients benefit from his advices on and his knowledge of industry best practices with regards to the drafting of company policies, provincial or federal nature of a business, employment of commercial drivers, record keeping of drivers’ regulatory files, substance abuse for commercial drivers and disciplinary actions following safety issues. He is also very much involved on issues relating to subcontracting and qualification of drivers as employees.
He also give advices to clients and appears on their behalf before the courts in connection with regulatory compliance issues for motor carriers. He frequently appears before de Criminal division of the Court of Quebec to handle moving violations under federal and provincial laws and regulations, He also has a sharp knowledge of the laws and regulations applicable to the carriers’ business.
Mr. Ménard Dumas regularly pleads before the Commission des transports du Québec, in public show-cause hearings in connection with conduct monitoring following the deterioration of a record made pursuant to the Conduct review policy for heavy vehicle owners and operators (namely in connection with a fatal road accident, a critical event or any failure in an on-site inspection). He also often appears before the regulatory enforcement authorities, such as the Contrôle routier Québec and the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.
Mr. Ménard Dumas was recognized in the prestigious legal directory The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 for work in transportation law.