In September 2012, the Supreme Court of Canada significantly changed the law on public interest standing. It did so under the banner of advancing access to justice. After being released, Canada (AG) v Downtown Eastside Sex Workers United Against Violence, 2012 SCC 45 [SWUAV] received praise for … [Read more...]
Public Interest Standing and the Bedford Case
According to law professor Jane Bailey, inaccessibility of justice is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem for middle-class Canadians. Exorbitant fees and lengthy timelines often act as barriers for many who may be interested in having their concerns formally heard and addressed through the … [Read more...]
Solitary Confinement is a National Disgrace
I have been privileged to visit Fort McPherson, in the Northwest Territories, a number of times since 2011. It is a pleasant little Gwich’in community located on the banks of the Peele River southwest of Inuvik, within sight of the Richardson Mountains to the west. It is one of the few remote … [Read more...]
The Right of First Nations Peoples to a Representative Jury
On November 21, 2014, in R v Kokopenace, the Supreme Court of Canada granted leave to appeal a case from the Ontario Court of Appeal (2013 ONCA 389). The case deals with what duty the Ontario government has to ensure that First People who live on reserve are included on jury rolls (list of potential … [Read more...]
Can Administrative Agencies Grant Common Law Public Interest Standing?
Whether administrative agencies can grant public interest standing the way that courts do is an unsettled question. This question usually arises at environmental agencies whose enabling legislation provides standing based on affected personal interests. Multiple court cases have found that specific … [Read more...]
Cold War Casualties in the True North Strong and Free
I have just had the exhilarating experience of reading the new novel by Winnipeg’s Margaret Sweatman, a political thriller set in the heart of the Cold War years. I was intrigued by the title – Mr Jones – as that was indeed the name we gave to the first book club I belonged to – the Mr. Jones Book … [Read more...]
Bench Press 39-2: Estranged Father and Daughter
An Edmonton father and daughter had not had any face-to-face communication since 2010. The father was paying child support of $1054.00 per month. He asked the court to terminate or reduce his support obligation since she turned 18 on the grounds that he had no proof that she had attended elective … [Read more...]
Bench Press 39-2: Unprecedented Sentence of 75 Years
Justin Bourque, the 24-year-old Moncton man who gunned down three RCMP officers this spring has been sentenced to a 75-year prison sentence. He will not be eligible for parole until he is 99 years old. This is the longest sentence in Canadian history and the most severe penalty since the death … [Read more...]
Vol 38-6: Bench Marks: Cases that Change the Legal Landscape
Full PDF of this issue Table of ContentsFeatured Articles: Bench Marks: Cases that Change the Legal LandscapeSpecial Report: Aboriginal LawDepartmentsColumns Featured Articles: Bench Marks: Cases that Change the Legal Landscape Some decisions our courts make carry the … [Read more...]
Vol 38-5: Vulnerable Youth and the Law
Full PDF of this issue Table of ContentsFeatured Articles: The Law and Vulnerable YouthSpecial Report: Copyright LawDepartmentsColumnsFeatured Articles: Vulnerable Youth and the Law How can the law help vulnerable youth as they grow toward adulthood?The State … [Read more...]
