Alberta Health Services facilitates patient transfers to publicly funded continuing care facilities, but bigger policy problems are constraining the process. It is a common yet difficult scenario. During a stay in hospital, it has become clear the individual’s existing housing arrangements are … [Read more...]
New approach in Alberta to imputing income to underemployed and unemployed parents
In 2022, the Alberta Court of Appeal in Peters v Atchooay changed course and adopted the reasonableness test for imputing income to calculate child support. The amount of child support a parent pays is based on their income. For many parents, figuring out their income means looking at their … [Read more...]
Dealing with Holiday Debt
Money Mentors provides practical tips and free supports for dealing with holiday debt, including credit card balances. For many people, the most wonderful time of the year also ends up being the most expensive. The joy of the holiday season can quickly become overshadowed by the stress of … [Read more...]
2022 Criminal Law in Review
Over the past year, important criminal law developments came from several changes Parliament made to Canada's Criminal Code. The law is always changing. So, it is challenging to list the most significant developments over the last 12 months. Others might have different choices, but what follows is … [Read more...]
Hot Legal Topics of 2022
You asked and we answered - questions about interest rates, rent increases, layoffs and terminations of employment, grants of probate and conversion therapy. As another year ends, it’s a time to reflect back on the year that was and look forward to the year that will be. I think many of us are … [Read more...]
2022 Housing and Consumer Year in Review
A look back at important housing and consumer topics in 2022, including household debt, rent increases and housing affordability. If this year has taught us anything, housing and consumer law issues are more important than ever. We began the year hearing about soaring house prices throughout … [Read more...]
Canada’s Constitution: What it is and why you should care
Understanding Canada's Constitution is a great first step in understanding the debate around Alberta's Sovereignty Act and the draft Saskatchewan First Act. EDITOR'S NOTE Alberta's Sovereignty Act came into effect on December 15, 2022 when it received royal assent from the Lieutenant Governor. … [Read more...]
2022 Employment Law Alberta Year in Review
This past year, the courts have left us with important decisions about employment contracts, constructive dismissal, severance, just cause and the oppression remedy. This article is a short summary of some important employment law decisions in Alberta in 2022, separated roughly into subcategories … [Read more...]
Gambling in the Online Age
While gambling facilities must have a provincial license to operate, only government-operated websites offer legal gambling online. You have probably seen ads for online gambling websites all over the place - commercials, social media, even at the Superbowl. But did you know these websites are not … [Read more...]
Dealing Effectively with Self-Represented Litigants: A view from the bench
Nine tips for anyone involved with self-represented litigants (SRLs), including a look at the responsibilities of lawyers and the court. I can only speculate on the reasons for the surge over the last 20 years in people representing themselves in all forms of litigation. One may be the high cost … [Read more...]