Whether administrative agencies can grant public interest standing the way that courts do is an unsettled question. This question usually arises at environmental agencies whose enabling legislation provides standing based on affected personal interests. Multiple court cases have found that specific … [Read more...]
Cold War Casualties in the True North Strong and Free
I have just had the exhilarating experience of reading the new novel by Winnipeg’s Margaret Sweatman, a political thriller set in the heart of the Cold War years. I was intrigued by the title – Mr Jones – as that was indeed the name we gave to the first book club I belonged to – the Mr. Jones Book … [Read more...]
Bench Press 39-2: Estranged Father and Daughter
An Edmonton father and daughter had not had any face-to-face communication since 2010. The father was paying child support of $1054.00 per month. He asked the court to terminate or reduce his support obligation since she turned 18 on the grounds that he had no proof that she had attended elective … [Read more...]
Bench Press 39-2: Unprecedented Sentence of 75 Years
Justin Bourque, the 24-year-old Moncton man who gunned down three RCMP officers this spring has been sentenced to a 75-year prison sentence. He will not be eligible for parole until he is 99 years old. This is the longest sentence in Canadian history and the most severe penalty since the death … [Read more...]
Vol 38-6: Bench Marks: Cases that Change the Legal Landscape
Full PDF of this issue Table of Contents Featured Articles: Bench Marks: Cases that Change the Legal Landscape Special Report: Aboriginal Law Departments Columns Featured Articles: Bench Marks: Cases that Change the Legal Landscape Some decisions our courts make carry the … [Read more...]
Vol 38-5: Vulnerable Youth and the Law
Full PDF of this issue Table of Contents Featured Articles: The Law and Vulnerable Youth Special Report: Copyright Law Departments Columns Featured Articles: Vulnerable Youth and the Law How can the law help vulnerable youth as they grow toward adulthood? The State … [Read more...]
Bench Press 39-2: Reining on the Parade
The Calgary Stampede Authority and the Street Church Evangelism Ministries International Foundation (Street Church) have been clashing for years over the Church’s participation in the Calgary Stampede parade. Things came to a head in 2012. The City of Calgary passed an amendment to its Traffic Bylaw … [Read more...]
Bench Press 39-2: Who Calls the Shots on Treatment Orders?
A judge issued a treatment order for an accused in a psychotic state. The Crown indicated that a bed in one hospital would be available in six days. The judge ordered treatment “forthwith” at another hospital. Court services delivered the accused to the first hospital and left him in the hallway. … [Read more...]
Unpaid Internships: The Views of a Survivor!
Last week a Craigslist post made the rounds of my social circle in Vancouver. It advertised an exciting opportunity for a peppy, earnest young person to become a "Barista Intern", to learn to handle, and I quote, "thirst and hunger requirements." Needless to say, it was torn apart and taken down not … [Read more...]
The Gallant Yet Illegal Cause: Canadians in the Spanish Civil War
It was in Spain that men learned that one can be right and still be beaten, that force can vanquish spirit, that there are times when courage is not its own reward. It is this, without doubt, which explains why so many men throughout the world regard the Spanish drama as a personal tragedy. - Albert … [Read more...]
