‘Destroyed my life’: Realtor fired after explosive exchange in Cambridge

What happened?

A Waterloo Region realtor has been fired following an explosive exchange with a resident in Cambridge, Ontario.

Video of the incident, which took place on April 11, captured Jeff Blackham hurl a homophobic slur at a woman who wasn’t in the frame.

Blackham told CTV News during a phone call that the situation has left him feeling “broken” — adding it has “destroyed my life.”

“I used language that was wrong, hurtful, and completely unacceptable,” he said in a written statement.

“I take full responsibility for my words and the harm they have caused, particularly to members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Keller Williams Innovation, the real estate brokerage Blackham worked for, confirmed that he was terminated on April 13.

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Severance pay in Ontario

Non-unionized employees in Ontario, including those in the real estate industry, can get up to 24 months of severance pay when they’re fired or laid off from their job without cause.

This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in the province.

In some cases, employers in Ontario have grounds to terminate staff for cause — meaning no severance package or access to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains what rights employees have if they are being fired or let go on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Considered the “capital punishment” of employment law, this type of dismissal is reserved for the worst workplace transgressions, such as serious insubordination, assault, or theft.

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• Do I have to look for a new job after getting fired?
• Can I get my job back if I’m fired?

Lost your job? Contact us

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’ve helped over 50,000 clients secure fair severance packages — recovering millions of dollars for non-unionized employees in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

With extensive experience representing workers in roles at small businesses and large organizations across various industries, our team provides the expertise you need to navigate your termination effectively.

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• Should I negotiate my own severance package in Ontario?
• Pocket Employment Lawyer: Real-time insights on your rights

If you’ve been fired or let go for any reason, our experienced Cambridge employment lawyers are here to assist you.

In addition to employment law, we handle disability claims and personal injury cases.

Call 1-855-821-5900 today or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials provided in this article are for general informational purposes only and DO NOT constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a legal representative at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.