The protection of children through government intervention services in Alberta is governed by the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA). This article focuses on the CYFEA; however, it is important to note that, on January 1, 2020, An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, … [Read more...]
Translating Justice: Overcoming Language Barriers in Law
Do you, or someone you know, need legal help but have difficulties communicating in English? As a multicultural country, Canada is home to people from all over the world. Both French and English are official languages in Canada, and you may use either of these languages when dealing with a federal … [Read more...]
Children Witnesses in the Criminal Courts: Recognizing Competence and Assessing Credibility
This article was first published on January 5th, 2018. It was verified for accuracy on December 13, 2024. Until the late 1980s, the justice system in Canada regarded children as inherently unreliable and their rare appearances in court were often extremely stressful. Since then, there have been … [Read more...]
Extradition in Canada: United States v Burns, then and now
Extradition is the process through which a foreign nation can ask Canada to surrender an accused person to that nation to stand trial for their suspected crime. To be extradited, the alleged crime must be recognized as a criminal act not just in the foreign country, but also in Canada. The … [Read more...]
2024 Employment Law Alberta Year in Review
This article summarizes some important employment law decisions in Alberta in 2024, separated roughly into subcategories. It does not focus on cases from other jurisdictions, although many of those can have persuasive weight here. It also does not address developments in human rights and labour … [Read more...]
Legal Considerations of Living in a Multigenerational Household
What is a multigenerational household? A multigenerational household is a home where three or more generations reside. These households contain at least one person who is both the grandparent and the parent of someone in the house. In Alberta, these households comprise just a small percentage … [Read more...]
Getting Your Security Deposit Back
Moving out of your rental home can be hectic, but ensuring you get your security deposit back should not be complicated. In Alberta, the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) sets clear rules to protect tenants and landlords. Here is what you need to know to recover your security deposit … [Read more...]
In Memory of Linda McKay-Panos
The Board of Directors and staff of the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta wish to express our deep sadness over the passing of Linda McKay-Panos on November 3, 2024. At the end of this article, we reprint the tribute posted by Linda’s own organization - The Alberta Civil Liberties Research … [Read more...]
Student Charter Rights in the Wake of Bill 27
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter) is part of Canada’s Constitution, which is the highest law in Canada. The Charter protects basic rights and fundamental freedoms that are essential to keeping Canada a free and democratic … [Read more...]
Imposing Adult Sentences on Young Offenders
The legal system in Canada treats young offenders differently than adults. The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) regulates the youth justice system. Under the YCJA, young people are held accountable for their criminal acts, but not in the same way as adults. The YCJA provides special … [Read more...]
