Alberta's International Agreements Act requires parts of international agreements to be passed into provincial law. This raises questions about how key human rights agreements apply in Alberta.In its first act of the 2025 fall legislative session, the Alberta government introduced Bill 1: The … [Read more...]
Calgary Launches Community Court to Tackle Minor Offences, Aid Vulnerable Citizens
Calgary's Community Court is an alternative court space that gives people facing minor offences the support they need to improve their lives."Justice is a basic human need. In our highly regulated and complex society, people confront legal problems in myriad aspects of their daily lives. And … [Read more...]
Coming January 2026: The Family Focused Protocol
On January 2, 2026, the Court of King’s Bench is significantly changing family court in Alberta with its new Family Focused Protocol.Starting on January 2, 2026, the Court of King’s Bench is changing how it deals with family law cases. This new approach is called the Family Focused Protocol … [Read more...]
The Alberta Legislature repeatedly uses the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to shield controversial laws from court challenges
Alberta's use of the notwithstanding clause in the proposed Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act and other controversial laws might impact Albertans' Charter rights.EDITOR'S NOTE This article was published on November 24, 2025. The Alberta Legislature passed Bill 9, the … [Read more...]
Will the Alberta Legislature use the Charter’s Notwithstanding Clause to shield controversial Education Act changes?
The Alberta government may use the notwithstanding clause to protect new controversial laws, including those requiring parents to be notified if their child wishes to use new, gender-related preferred names or pronouns at school.In November 2024, LawNow published Student Charter Rights in the … [Read more...]
Thumbs Up Emoji Seals the Deal
Can a thumbs up emoji create legally binding obligations? The Supreme Court of Canada may consider this in the case of Achter Land & Cattle Ltd. v South West Terminal Ltd.AUTHOR'S NOTE On July 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the application for leave to appeal filed by … [Read more...]
The Evolution of Canadian Law
Since Canada became a country in 1867, Canadian law has evolved from that of a British colony to a sovereign state, including major developments like the Charter, the Criminal Code and the Divorce Act.EDITOR’S NOTE This article was first published in LawNow on May 5, 2017. It was reviewed … [Read more...]
Annexation and the Use of Force
Annexation is one state forcibly acquiring another state’s territory, usually through a treaty or use of force. It is illegal under international law.Recently, there has been increased discussion in the media about annexation. Many are now asking what this term really means and how it comes … [Read more...]
Understanding Parole and its Restrictions: Why someone’s release shouldn’t necessarily alarm you
Parole is when an offender integrates back into society after serving their jail sentence, and includes an extensive review process and decision from the parole board.Media reports on crime often emphasize when an offender is eligible for parole and subsequently cover the results of the parole … [Read more...]
Provincial Directives for Colleges and Universities: Government overreach?
It looks good on paper: protect student mental health, fight against racism, and ensure that costs are transparent. But is it overreach?Bill 166 ExplainedIn May of 2024, the Ontario government amended its Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act with Bill 166 (the Strengthening … [Read more...]
