A person commits an assault when . . . without the consent of another person, he applies force intentionally to that other person, directly or indirectly . . . Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil … [Read more...]
BenchPress – Vol 42-4
SCC Stomping on Sexual Assault Myths Recently, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) dismissed an appeal from the Alberta Court of Appeal (“ABCA”). The ABCA had overturned an Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench trial decision in a case of sexual assault. In this case, a man was acquitted of sexual … [Read more...]
Protecting Your Invention: Tips from an Intellectual Property Lawyer
The million-dollar idea. It’s the holy grail of inventorship, the kind of thing that inventors and entrepreneurs spend their careers pursuing. But those that do manage to turn their efforts into a golden idea are often confronted with an uncomfortable reality: leveraging that invention for a profit … [Read more...]
Charter of Rights and Homeless Persons
Many Canadians are living in poverty, and people from certain groups are overrepresented in those who are suffering poverty’s adverse effects, no matter how we measure or define “poverty”. For example, a 2015 study by the Edmonton Social Planning Council revealed troublesome statistics: one in … [Read more...]
How To Deal With Bankruptcy as a Small Business Owner
Considering bankruptcy is never easy. It’s one of the most important – and difficult - financial decisions you will ever have to make. An added worry for some indebted Canadians might be what happens to their financial situation if they are self-employed or running a small business. You may be … [Read more...]
Second Person Singular by Sayed Kashua: Acquiring False Identities At Great Psychic Cost
Sayed Kashua wrote his novel, Second Person Singular, as an Arab-Israeli. He has since sadly reflected on his need to leave Israel for the US, after years of trying to find a place for himself in a society that treated him and other Palestinians as second-class participants in a country dominated … [Read more...]
Greater Electoral Access for the Homeless
Much more needs to be done to ensure that homeless people are encouraged to vote and given equal opportunity to do so. Do homeless people vote? Although they are citizens of Canada, the political participation of homeless people has rarely been considered. The health of our democracy should be … [Read more...]
When the Entrepreneur and Tax Man Meet
Starting a business can be exciting, but also incredibly nerve-wracking. While tax considerations are often a low priority, some commonly overlooked issues can cause significant headaches. Below we discuss some key general considerations. Specific advice from a tax professional is … [Read more...]
Steps to Starting a Business in Alberta
The information below is not legal advice and different steps or requirements may be necessary according to your specific situation. It is highly recommended that you speak with a lawyer if you are thinking about or are starting a business. STEP 1: CHOOSE A FORM OF BUSINESS The first step … [Read more...]
Criminal Court Haters, Take Note: What the #believethevictims Movement Fails to Recognize
No one condones sexual violence, harassment, assault or anything of that nature against women, or anyone else. Not the Judges, Courts, or Defence Lawyers. However, the sharp and profound movement that villanizes any participant of the criminal justice system that is involved in the acquittal of an … [Read more...]
