There’s a reason why Canadian passports are in high demand with international criminals and forgers. Our record of good international relations, history of peacekeeping and foreign aid, and the generally good perception of Canadians gives our passport holders easy entry to more countries than just … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-6: Limits to “Mr. Big” Stings
Police in Newfoundland suspected that Nelson Hart deliberately drowned his twin daughters but had no proof. They began an elaborate hoax to recruit Mr. Hart into a fictitious crime ring. After about 15 months of activity, it culminated in a meeting with “Mr. Big” who was presented as the head of … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-6: A Bride’s Worst Nightmare!
Melanie Johnson arranged for a Calgary designer and tailor to make four bridesmaid dresses, a flower girl’s dress and a wedding veil for her October 2011 wedding, and to make alterations to her wedding dress. As the wedding approached, the emails and text messages began to fly. The bride received … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-6: Court Decision an “Earthquake”
Both the land and the legal landscape underwent a transformation recently as a result of a Supreme Court of Canada decision. The Court ruled for the first time that an Aboriginal nation has title to a remote piece of beautiful land in British Columbia. The Court wrote: “The nature of Aboriginal … [Read more...]
Whatever Happened to … Childs v. Desormeaux: Killer Hospitality
Can you be held legally responsible if you serve a friend alcohol at your house and he or she then drives away and injures or kills another person? Alcohol-fueled social gatherings give rise to the issue of social host liability, both to guests and to third parties who may be affected by your … [Read more...]
Can a landlord charge a tenant for renovations?
I just got a question from a tenant. The landlord replaced all the windows in the rental property, and then gave the tenant a bill for half the cost of the renovations. Seriously. The tenant doesn’t have to pay the landlord the money. There are some costs that are simply the costs of doing … [Read more...]
New legislation eases moves into or out of Alberta for not-for-profits
In mid-May a measure was quietly passed in the Alberta Legislative Assembly that will allow existing not-for-profit corporations to transfer into or out of the province without having to go through re-incorporation or amalgamation and the accompanying onerous paperwork. Not-for-profit … [Read more...]
Compassionate Care: A New Basis for Temporary Unpaid Leave from Work
. . . provisions for eight weeks of unpaid compassionate care leave for individuals charged with caring for terminally ill family members. This Bill would help to ensure that Albertans do not have to risk employment and careers while performing their familial duties. - Mr. Jeneroux, on … [Read more...]
Protection Orders in Dangerous Circumstances
When trying to deal with family violence, everything can feel overwhelming, especially navigating the legal system. Victims of violence sometimes require a protection order that provides for no contact between them and the perpetrator of violence. There are several legal remedies available … [Read more...]
Human Rights of Transgender Persons
Transgender persons are recognized in medicine as those who are born with the physical attributes of one gender, but who know at a deep level that their physical bodies do not match their inner gender. Federal and provincial human rights laws often protect transgender persons from discrimination in … [Read more...]
