Right to B.C. Provincial Court Trial in French Bessette v British Columbia (Attorney General), 2019 SCC 31 Mr. Bessette was charged with a traffic offence in British Columbia under the province’s Motor Vehicle Act. He asked that his trial in the Provincial Court be held in French. Mr. Bessette … [Read more...]
Note from the Publisher
Hello LawNow readers, From all of us here at the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA), we hope you had an enjoyable and relaxing summer! As many of you know, LawNow is published six times per year by CPLEA. This issue marks the start of LawNow’s forty-fourth year of … [Read more...]
The White Angel: An excursion from Chinatown to posh Shaughnessy Heights and back
John MacLachlan Gray is a celebrated playwright who penned the immortal masterpiece Billy Bishop Goes to War. Having not seen any new plays from Gray for many years, I had wondered whatever had become of him. Not to worry. It turns out that in recent years he has reinvented himself as a mystery … [Read more...]
Water Regulation in Alberta: 5 Things You Need to Know
Water plus Earth, Wind and Fire. No … it’s not a day at the beach with a great band from Chicago. These are the names of the four classical elements, which in ancient times were thought to explain the nature of how the world worked. They are also the subjects of the next four LawNow Environmental … [Read more...]
Introduction to Contracts
Consumer law covers a wide range of topics that are pervasive in our everyday lives – including contracts, advertising, credit, buying of goods and services, privacy and more. CPLEA often receives questions from the public about consumer law-related issues and so LawNow is launching this column to … [Read more...]
When is Reinstatement Possible for Employment Discrimination?
A worker experiencing discrimination must choose the legal avenue that will give them the result they want. For example, if pursuing the matter in court, the worker will have to start a contract claim (e.g., wrongful dismissal) or tort claim. One cannot sue in tort for discrimination, but one can … [Read more...]
Confidentiality Clauses: the Jan Wong Case
. . . I can’t disclose the amount of money I received I’d just been paid a pile of money to go away . . . Two weeks later a big fat check landed in my account. Even with a vastly swollen bank account . . . Introduction Almost all lawsuits are settled or abandoned. Only about 5% go … [Read more...]
How Earnings Must Be Paid
Introduction In 1981, when I was a student working for the summer in London, England, every two weeks I would walk over to another building and join a queue to collect my pay packet. In the little cardboard pouch, I found a very narrow strip of paper of numbers that explained how my earnings and … [Read more...]
44-1: Back to School
Full PDF of this issue Volume 44-1 Sept/Oct 2019 Table of Contents Feature Articles: Back to School Special Report: Canada as a Bilingual Country Departments Columns September marks the beginning of another school year. This issue looks at current legal topics impacting … [Read more...]
In Canada and elsewhere, freedom of speech is on the endangered list
Freedom of speech. Freedom of the press. These phrases may conjure up Hollywood-style images of noble activists and principled reporters butting heads with those in power – and winning. However, the reality is often far different: surveillance, gag orders, expensive and oppressive lawsuits, and … [Read more...]
