We hear a lot today about people following their conscience. Conscience is more than mere preferences and choices. It is about one’s values, spiritual worldview and visceral sense of right and wrong. Few employees want to compromise on their deepest conscientious beliefs for their jobs. These … [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...]
Bear With Me: Law for little ones
Children, even from infancy, learn about rules. They are told not to run with sharp objects, not to touch a hot stove, and that when darkness falls, they will be expected to go to bed. As children grow, they learn about the rules that govern the world around them. They begin to learn that they exist … [Read more...]
Provinces Leaving Canada Part II: The Clarity Act
The obligations we have identified are binding obligations under the Constitution of Canada. However, it will be for the political actors to determine what constitutes "a clear majority on a clear question" in the circumstances under which a future referendum vote may be taken. - Reference Re … [Read more...]
Alberta’s New Condominium Regulations: Rental deposits
This article is part of a multi-part article series on Alberta’s new condominium regulations. Stay tuned for our next article on condominium insurance.On January 1, 2020, revised condominium governance regulations came into effect in Alberta. One of the changes has to do with rental deposits. As … [Read more...]
Social Media Terms of Use: I agree?
We’ve all done it. Scrolled quickly through legal terms and clicked “I Agree” without reading a word. If you’re like me, you think, well how bad can these terms and conditions be? Everyone is using this app. But what exactly are you agreeing to?In this column, we’ll look at the terms of use for … [Read more...]
Editing Tools
Using tools to analyze and measure language simplifies plain language writing and editing. At CPLEA, we use a combination of tools to look at where and how to clarify our writing:Microsoft Word: The most common plain language editor has some powerful built-in features. Hemingway Editor: Loyal … [Read more...]
What’s a member and what rights does a member have?
A recent Ontario Court of Appeal case, Aga v. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Canada (Aga), provides some insight into the vexing question of the extent of “member” rights in not-for-profit organizations. Although the idea of such rights seems straightforward, it is anything but.The … [Read more...]
Solitary Confinement is a Human Rights Issue
Mahatma Ghandi once said: “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” Canada has used solitary confinement for prisoners for decades. In the past several years, solitary confinement has been the subject of criticism from civil libertarians and mental health … [Read more...]
Kids facing effects of climate change are taking their governments to court
In November, more than 11,000 scientists declared that the climate emergency has arrived and drastic action is required. Frustrated by government failure to respond adequately, citizens are taking to the courts.The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law reports at least 1,390 … [Read more...]
