View cases - Stewart McKelvey

- 5 -[11] On June 28, 2002, without any indication that anything was awry, Mr. Axelson cameinto Mr. Coppola’s office and gave him a written notice that read: “It is with regrets that Iinform you that you will be LAID OFF from your current position and employment atCapital Pontiac, effective July 12, 2002.” Mr. Axelson informed Mr. Coppola that he was inthe process of reorganizing his dealership. When Mr. Coppola asked him why he would belaying off his top producer, he replied that he did it on the tenure process—the other financemanagers being longer term employees. Mr. Coppola received his Record of Employmentand a final pay cheque for $5,052.09 based on a gross payment of $8,535.76 for the twoweekperiod of notice (including the $300.00 taxable benefit for continued use of hisdemonstrator vehicle for the next two or three weeks).2011 SKQB 318 (CanLII)[12] Upon his release from employment at Capital Pontiac, Mr. Coppola contacted anumber of motor vehicle dealerships in Regina but the only job offer was from BennettDunlop. He was employed with Bennett Dunlop from August 29, 2002, to September 23,2002, for the purpose of looking into the possibility of establishing sub-prime creditdepartment for this motor vehicle dealership to sell vehicles to people with low credit ratings.Mr. David Kohonick, General Sales Manager for Bennett Dunlop, confirmed thatmanagement abandoned the project after a short time to focus on other matters. It was notbecause of any lack of effort on the part of Mr. Coppola. Mr. Coppola’s earnings at BennettDunlop during this period totalled $2,342.58.[13] After the short stint at Bennett Dunlop, Mr. Coppola decided to set up a mortgagebrokerage firm in partnership with Brian Drayton, an accountant. After he had started thisprocess Mr. Coppola was informed by Mr. Drayton that he had been advised by one of thesales staff at Capital Pontiac that he should be careful in his dealings with Mr. Coppola. This