Jeffrey Moore attended public school, at School District No. 44 (the “District”), from kindergarten to grade three, beginning in 1991. Jeffrey had access to an aide and attended a Learning Assistance Centre; his parents hired a private tutor. By January 1994, in grade 2, Jeffrey had serious … [Read more...]
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining: Are There Justifiable Limits?
For several years, public service employees have been restricted in their right to strike, in order to preserve their “essential” services. However, some argue that recent changes to Alberta’s public service labour legislation unjustifiably interfere with several rights under the Canadian Charter of … [Read more...]
Criminal Defence Law in the North: Part Two
In my last column (Part One) I briefly sketched out some aspects of substantive criminal law as it is enforced and applied in the Northwest Territories. I want in this contribution to comment upon some underlying factors which, at least sometimes, lead to criminal conduct, as well as aspects of … [Read more...]
Quebec’s Need for Cultural and Linguistic Protection, the Notwithstanding Clause, and the Demise of the Meech Lake Accord
For careful observers of Canadian culture and politics, there was an obvious irony attached to the House of Commons motion that was approved in November of 2006, recognizing Quebec’s special place in Confederation. The motion garnered 265 yeas and a mere 16 nays and stated: “Que cette Chambre … [Read more...]
You Can’t Do or Say That: Constraining individual conduct in a public and commercial world
Greek triple-jumper, Voula Papachristou, was expelled from the 2012 London Olympic Games because of a disparaging and racist tweet she broadcast days before the Games. European soccer players making negative comments about officials on or off the field now face suspension. An 18-year-old Canadian … [Read more...]
The Intersection of Law, Language and Culture
Introduction When we think of the intersection of law and language, most of us reflect on the linguistic sides of the issue, such as: questions about why law-makers use certain words as opposed to others, queries about ‘legalese’, and problems of misunderstanding, interpretation and translation. … [Read more...]
Multicultural Family Law Facilitators Project
Project Description This article briefly describes the Multicultural Family Law (MFL) Facilitators project developed by United Cultures of Canada Association, Family Law Office (Legal Aid Alberta) and ASSIST Community Services Centre with financial assistance provided by the City of Edmonton – … [Read more...]
Comma Law
The writer who neglects punctuation, or mispunctuates, is liable to be misunderstood for the want of merely a comma . . . – Edgar Allan Poe Introduction “Let’s eat, Grandma” or “Let’s eat Grandma.” As the saying goes, “commas save lives.”This adage humorously demonstrates the … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-3: Driving by Necessity
Two friends in Nova Scotia, Deegan and Pleau, shared a few beers while their wives went to bingo. On a cigarette break, Deegan fell down the stairs, gashing open his skull and sustaining a concussion. He was incoherent and having trouble breathing. Their wives had the keys to the apartment and … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-3: First Case Under the Justice For Victims of Terrorism Act
Dr. Sherri Wise of Toronto was severely injured in a Hamas terrorist bomb attack in Israel in 1997. She has made a claim against Iran for compensation for her injuries under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (JVTA) which was passed by the Canadian parliament in 2012. However, an American … [Read more...]
