The Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals is advocating for regulation of paralegals and is already working to develop quality education programs. In response to the growing access to justice issue in Alberta, legal stakeholders are trying to figure out what they can do to ease the … [Read more...]
Assisting the Client Living with the Effects of Serious Mental Illness
What are the challenges involved when working with clients living with psychotic illnesses, and what is some practical advice for their lawyers and advocates? I was asked to write an article on the challenges that those experiencing mental illnesses face when engaging with the legal system. What … [Read more...]
What Does “Freedom” Mean in Canadian Law?
The courts have interpreted and applied sections 1 and 2 of the Charter, including in the case of Occupy Toronto in 2011. In recent days, the word “freedom” has been used in the context of regulating protests and blockades at various locations in Canada. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms … [Read more...]
Alberta’s Critical Infrastructure Defence Act: How is it working?
In force since June 17, 2020, the law is meant to protect essential infrastructure from trespassers, damage or interference of any kind. No one can read or watch the news right now without some mention of the blockade in Coutts, Alberta, or protests in Ottawa, apparently related to the “Freedom … [Read more...]
Should Non-Citizen Residents be Allowed to Vote in Canada?
Canadians voted federally in September, and Albertans head back to the polls in October for municipal elections. But who has the right to vote in these elections? The right to vote is the foundation of democracy, and democracy cannot be established without it. Voting allows individuals to affect … [Read more...]
A Few Facts on … Equalization
Let's fact check a few common misconceptions on equalization and transfer payments. The terms “equalization” and “transfer payments” have been floating around in the news recently. The sheer volume of information thrown at us makes it difficult to figure out what is fact and what is … [Read more...]
A Primer on Municipal Law in Alberta
With local elections approaching, it’s a good time to brush up on municipal law and government in Alberta. Municipal governments play an important role in shaping Albertans’ daily lives – from taxes to transit, bike lanes to bylaw enforcement, and development permits to dog licenses. Albertans go … [Read more...]
Royal Families Around the World
Around the world, monarchs hold different roles in government and more. Canadians live in a “constitutional monarchy”. So, we are somewhat familiar with how our system has evolved to the point where the Queen is mainly a figurehead at the top of our government. Over many centuries, the British, and … [Read more...]
What Needs to be Done if Canada Wants to Remove the Monarch?
Canada severing ties with the Royal Family requires amending the Constitution and reviewing treaties signed with Indigenous Peoples. In 1931, Canada became part of the British Commonwealth. It remains one of 54 Commonwealth nations to this day. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, which means it is … [Read more...]
Good Behaviour and Tenure of Supreme Court Justices in Canada and the United States
The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in September 2020 at the age of 87, and the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States, where she can serve for decades, prompted me to write this article. The Supreme Courts of Canada and the U.S. are the courts … [Read more...]
