44-5: Volunteers & the Law

Volume 44-5 May/June 2020

Full PDF of this issue

In the midst of this COVID-19 global pandemic, volunteers are stepping up more than ever to provide countless hours of manpower to various organizations. This issue of LawNow looks at the interaction of volunteers and the law. In this issue, our columnists also provide an update on how COVID-19 is impacting many aspects of our lives – from courts and renting to human rights and employment.

Feature Articles: Volunteers & the Law

Volunteer Lawyers & Pro Bono Organizations in Alberta
Thomas Kannanayakal and Jimmy Lam
Lawyers across Alberta spend countless hours each year volunteering with legal clinics and court programs to assist vulnerable individuals with their legal problems.

The Law of Unpaid Internships in Canada
Peter Bowal, Carter Czaikowski and Josh Zablocki
An internship can mean many different things, from a professional requirement or an apprenticeship to a regular, full-time, short-term job that is temporary in nature.

Can I Be Liable for the Actions of My Volunteer?: Vicarious liability and volunteers
Lauren Chalaturnyk and Jenna Chamberlain
Volunteer-driven organizations may hold the view that they are not liable for negligent or intentionally injurious actions of its volunteer, but this is not always the case.

Volunteering and Income Tax
Caitlin Butler
Volunteering raises tax issues, both for the volunteer as well as for the recipient, such as a non-profit organization or charity.

Special Report: Copyright

Know Your Rights: Copyright in Canada in the era of COVID-19 and beyond
Julia Ryckman
An artist’s understanding of copyright is an important part of understanding how to make money and protect the integrity of their creative works.

Fixing Canadian Crown Copyright
Amanda Wakaruk
Section 12 of the Copyright Act gives governments the right to control the reproduction and re-use of government works.

Copyright No Plaything: Celebrity Tattoos in Video Games
Tara Parker
It may be surprising to some that tattoo art, like other forms of art, is capable of attracting copyright.