There is a long-standing concern about the under-representation of women (and minorities) in our political system. There are several theories about why these groups are not reflected in politics in ways that represent their numbers in Canada. The issue has been recognized, and recently, a proposed … [Read more...]
Supreme Court: No Warrant to Swab Your Genitals? No Problem!
In a logically confusing and weakly justified ruling rendered on June 23, 2016, the majority of the justices of the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Saeed decided that upon arrest, without warrant or consent, when Mr. Saeed was commanded to drop his trousers and a cotton-tipped swab was wiped along … [Read more...]
Legal Remedies at Human Rights Commissions
Introduction Canada has one federal and separate provincial and territorial Human Rights Commissions established and governed by their respective enabling legislation. These human rights commissions exist to protect human rights, prevent discrimination, foster equality and resolve complaints. The … [Read more...]
41-1: Self-Represented Litigants
Representing yourself in court is a daunting task. This issue of LawNow offers some suggestions for success. Full PDF of this issue Volume 41-1 Sept/Oct 2016 Table of Contents Featured Articles: Self-Represented Litigants Special Report: Media and the … [Read more...]
The Law of Costs and the Cost of Law
Introduction Equality is one of the most important underpinnings of law and justice. This encompasses equal access to the law. Numerous initiatives ease the difficult and expensive engagement with law that most citizens encounter. These measures include free public legal databases, pro bono … [Read more...]
Kent v Postmedia: The Largest Individual Defamation Award Given in Alberta
On June 8, 2016, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta released a 60-page ruling in the cases of Kent v. Martin, and Kent v. Postmedia, awarding $150,000 in general damages for the print publication of a defamatory article, and a further $50,000 for continuing online publication. Costs of the legal … [Read more...]
Journalists Feel the Chill in a Changing Media World
Journalism students who are mulling over important questions such as “Where will I find a job?” and “Will I be able to cover the legal beat?” as they face a potentially shrinking job market, may have more than just job prospects to worry about. Today, the media world is rapidly shrinking, … [Read more...]
Freedom of Expression, Publication Bans and the Media
The issue of publication bans in the context of criminal matters ordered by the courts became more complex with the advent of the Internet. Some may remember when the criminal proceedings of Karla Homolka were subject to a publication ban. There were several alleged breaches of the ban when the … [Read more...]
Your Self-Representation Road Map: Five Steps to Success (And 5 Mistakes to Avoid)
As a lawyer, I’ve been to court hundreds of times. And I’ve coached hundreds of self-represented litigants on how to go to court on their own. Here are some steps to consider. Remember, these are general guidelines and you should always check the rules of court and seek legal advice in your own … [Read more...]
Prevention and Relief of Poverty
A couple of years ago, the refusal of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to allow Oxfam Canada to include prevention of poverty in its objects if it wanted to retain its status as a registered charity drew widespread press attention. The CRA took the position that relief or alleviation of poverty was … [Read more...]
