This article deals with the law of Christmas, the celebration of this Christian event and the public displays of words or symbols that accompany it. No Clear Separation of Church and State in Canada Most Canadians incorrectly assume, perhaps from a steady consumption of American pop culture, that … [Read more...]
Occupational Health and Safety 3: Ticket Offences at Work
Introduction Most Canadians are familiar with “tickets” for minor offences. If we have personal experience at all with the legal system, it is most likely through receiving the occasional ticket for parking, seat belts, rolling through a stop sign, speeding or some other traffic offence. There … [Read more...]
Categories for Immigration to Canada
Since 1978, Canada has allowed Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their relatives to immigrate to Canada. Family reunification was an important objective of the former Immigration Act and remains so . . . Of the over 2 million permanent residents admitted to this country between … [Read more...]
Whatever happened to … Crocker vs. Sundance
Introduction Crocker v. Sundance Northwest Ltd (1985) 20 D.L.R. (4th) 552 (Ont. C.A) is one of the most interesting negligence cases in Canada in the last quarter century. It is a unanimous decision from six judges of the Supreme Court of Canada that covered a tragic scenario on a ski hill. The … [Read more...]
Whatever Happened to… Tilden Rent A-Car
The Facts Mr. John Clendenning of Woodstock, Ontario travelled a lot in his work and often rented a car from the Tilden Rent‑A‑Car Company when he was away from home. He would get extra insurance protection in the event he had an accident with the rental vehicle. On a trip to Vancouver he picked … [Read more...]
Employers’ Legal Obligations During Major Disasters
Introduction We write this column within a week of the devastating floods in southern Alberta. A few years ago, this column addressed the H1N1 influenza outbreak. Before that was SARS. Alberta has experienced serious tornados and fires. While not ‘natural’ disasters, we remember the potent … [Read more...]
Changing Terms of Employment
Introduction Darrell Wronko started work at Western Inventory Service Limited (WIS) in 1987, right after graduating from university. He worked at the company for 17 years, including four years as Vice President of National Accounts and Marketing. In 2000, he signed an amended employment contract, … [Read more...]
Unmasking Bullies on the Internet
Introduction Most of us have heard of cyberbullying and the dreadful impact it has had on young people, even driving some of them to suicide. The incidence of bullying online is likely far greater than the average Canadian might expect. As a university professor, I (Bowal) receive menacing and … [Read more...]
Expropriating Land: A Balancing Act
Introduction The somewhat foreboding term “expropriation” in Canada describes the right of the government (the Crown or one of its agencies) to legally take real property (land), that is in private hands and apply it for a greater public use or benefit. This concept is called “compulsory purchase” … [Read more...]
Griffiths Energy Violates the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act
Calgary-based Griffiths Energy International Inc. (Griffiths) was created in August 2009 to obtain oil and gas production sharing contracts in the Republic of Chad. Within two years, the corporate leadership had changed, the corporate founder Griffiths was dead, and the company faced a major … [Read more...]