The University of Regina Students' Union (URSU) has been ordered by a Saskatchewan court to pay a significant sum to former president Haris Khan for wrongful dismissal, according to a recent decision by Court of King's Bench Justice Michael Morris. The May 1 ruling, now publicly available, determined that URSU failed to prove just cause for terminating Khan's employment.
Compensation Details
URSU, which is currently undergoing liquidation, must compensate Khan with a year's salary and RRSP benefits totaling $77,380, minus two weeks of severance already paid. Additionally, the organization must pay $10,000 in moral damages. The exact amount of the severance already provided is not specified in the decision.
Khan's Employment History
Khan served URSU in multiple roles over the years, starting as an elected vice president before becoming president. He later returned as board chairperson and then as Director of Programs and Public Relations. His final employment period ran from approximately March 20, 2023, until his dismissal on or about February 22, 2024.
Justice Morris noted that the reasons for Khan's dismissal shifted over time. The initial termination letter cited unauthorized absences on three specific days. However, when URSU filed its statement of defense after Khan initiated a wrongful dismissal lawsuit, the grounds were expanded to include alleged failure to meet performance expectations and non-compliance with remote work policies. URSU also claimed multiple warnings had been given.
Questionable Evidence
A 2025 affidavit from URSU general manager Aoun Muhammad alleged Khan had been absent for 10 days prior to termination. Morris found this curious, noting that Muhammad's recollection 18 months after the termination letter seemed unlikely to be more accurate than those who prepared the letter just one week after the alleged absences.
URSU further argued that Khan exhibited a pattern of disrespect and that a professional development course he took through Harvard Business School Online, paid for by URSU, constituted a breach of fiduciary duty. The judge rejected these claims, emphasizing that the burden of proof rested on URSU, not Khan.
Ruling on Just Cause
Morris concluded that Khan had not been subject to any discipline prior to his dismissal and received no warning that his conduct could lead to termination. The judge stated clearly that URSU failed to establish just cause for the dismissal.
