[A]ction dictated by and according to the arbitrary likes, dislikes and irrelevant purposes of public officers acting beyond their duty, would signalize the beginning of disintegration of the rule of law as a fundamental postulate of our constitutional structure. – Roncarelli v. Duplessis, … [Read more...]
American and Canadian Election Laws: Top 10 Differences
Introduction There are distinct differences in Canadian and American federal election law and practices. For example, while the processes differ, American primaries are essentially party nominations in Canada. The American process for drawing constituency boundaries (often referred to as … [Read more...]
Gambling with your Taxes: Are Gambling Winnings a “Prize” Under the Income Tax Act?
During the recent summer Olympic Games we learned that Canadians, Americans and athletes from other countries receive a financial bonus for each medal they win, the size of the bonus depending upon the colour of the medal. This income is also taxed, a fact that is stirring legislators in the U.S. … [Read more...]
Whatever Happened To… The Edmonton Journal and Freedom of the Press in Canada
Every person who is the proprietor, editor, publisher or manager of any newspaper published in [Alberta], shall when required to do so by the Chairman [of the Social Credit Board], publish in that newspaper any statement furnished by the Chairman which has for its object the correction or … [Read more...]
Occupational Health and Safety
EDITOR'S NOTE | The information in this article may be out-of-date. For current information on occupational health and safety laws in Alberta, see CPLEA's Occupational Health and Safety FAQs. This article is the first in a series of columns on the topic of safety at work. Canadians spend most … [Read more...]
International Corporate Political Corruption: the Case of Niko Resources Ltd.
Founded in 1987 as a publicly-traded junior Canadian natural gas company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Niko Resources Ltd. (Niko) enjoyed a reputation as a gutsy natural gas explorer and producer by taking on projects in politically volatile and economically less-developed regions of the world. … [Read more...]
What is Wrong with Corruption?
I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. … Corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption in high places will follow . . .– Abraham Lincoln, quoted in Jack London’s The Iron Heel The first sign of … [Read more...]
What Ever Happened to … Jim Keegstra
Our law does not regulate expressions of desire or love. The same applies to the full range of other emotions such as rage, melancholy or euphoria. Even malicious lies and deceits largely pass without legal redress – and prosecutions where they can cause palpable harm – such as for misleading … [Read more...]
Employer Access to Your Social Media Life
Introduction Over the last month, the legality of requests by prospective employers to access applicants’ Facebook and other social media accounts has arisen. These accounts may reveal a more complete picture of the employee, especially what the employee really thinks, says and does outside of … [Read more...]
Minimum or Reasonable Notice of Termination?
In 1978 Marek and Gilles started work as salesmen for an Ontario car dealership (HOJ), on an ongoing, indefinite basis. By 1985 they had both been promoted to managerial positions and were earning close to $200,000 (in today’s terms) in total compensation which included commissions, allowances, … [Read more...]