COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of people’s lives in Alberta, across Canada and around the world. Governments have scrambled to approve stimulus packages, update public health orders, and change laws to respond to this new disease.Alberta declared a public health emergency under the Public … [Read more...]
BENCHPRESS | Rock-Paper-Scissors Debts, Napkin Wills & Injured Skiers
Rock-Paper-Scissors Debt Cancelled Primeau c. Hooper, 2020 QCCA 576Mr. Hooper lost a set of three games of rock-paper-scissors to Mr. Primeau in January 2011. The wager? $517,000 - $258,500 carried over from a previous debt on a quits or doubles bet.Mr. Hooper signed a mortgage from Mr. Primeau … [Read more...]
Know Your Rights: Copyright in Canada in the era of COVID-19 and beyond
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures hit Canada’s arts communities early, hard and fast. Even when present measures ease up, the return of performing artists to the stage looks to be a slow one.Some creators may use this time in isolation to craft new works, while … [Read more...]
COVID-19 in Alberta: A legislative overview of tenancy-related changes
Since declaring a public health emergency in Alberta on March 17, 2020, the government has made a flurry of announcements and legislative amendments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has implemented these changes through legislation and Ministerial Orders that majorly impact both … [Read more...]
Canada’s Carbon Tax Laws: Where are we now?
March 25, 2021 Author's Note | The Supreme Court of Canada released it's 6-3 decision today finding Canada's carbon tax to be constitutional. Read the Case in Brief or full reasons.On June 21, 2018, Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (the Act) came into effect. Part 1 of the Act … [Read more...]
Democracy in Ruins: Flaubert’s Sentimental Education and the fate of radical Democrats
I recently read Peter Brook’s book Flaubert in the Ruins of Paris: The Story of a Friendship, a Novel and a Terrible Year. The book provides a fascinating account of the composition and the literary and wider political history of Gustave Flaubert’s 1869 novel Sentimental Education. Brook’s book led … [Read more...]
The Legal Status of the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines
The Divorce Act sets out the factors that a judge considers when ordering one ex-partner to pay spousal support (also knows as “partner support” or “spousal maintenance”) to the other ex-partner. The factors in provincial family law legislation that applies to unmarried couples, such as Alberta’s … [Read more...]
Do Books Relieve Children’s Pain During Divorce?
Families are no longer as secure as they used to be. The process of divorce and separation can deeply affect children, as can exposure to new types of family structures. Children may feel stressed, frustrated and confused.When parents separate or divorce, children may:have difficulties … [Read more...]
New at CPLEA (Vol 44-4)
In this issue of LawNow we are highlighting a few updated resources and two upcoming workshops.Updated Resources The following CPLEA resources have been updated. They are available for download from our website or for order (for free!) from our store.How Old Do I Have to Be In … [Read more...]
BENCHPRESS | Challenges to the Constitution, Canada Labour Code and an insurance policy
Constitutional Challenge: Third parties can profit from sex work R v Anwar, 2020 ONCJ 103Hamad Anwar and Tiffany Harvey were charged for running an escort service in London, O.N. They employed several adult women, providing vacation time and benefits. Specifically, they were charged with offences … [Read more...]





