20/20: Looking back over the last 20 yearsWhat is the most important environmental law case in Canada since the turn of the century? Twenty years is a long time in Canadian environmental law, given that this area of law has only existed as a ‘thing’ for a little more than twice that length of … [Read more...]
Canada’s Law on Consumer Product Safety
20/20: Looking back over the last 20 yearsIn the past 2 months alone, you’ve probably heard about the recent food recall warnings on beef and romaine lettuce. Did you know that we have a law in Canada that deals with product safety and recalls?The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (“CCPSA”) … [Read more...]
New at CPLEA (Vol 44-3)
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.Domestic Violence: Toolkit for … [Read more...]
Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice System
20/20: Looking back over the last 20 yearsIn April 2003, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) replaced the Young Offenders Act. The YCJA sets out the justice system that applies to young persons – aged 12 to 17 – charged with an offence in Canada. Children under 12 cannot be charged with a … [Read more...]
Promoting the Practice of Law in Rural, Regional & Remote Communities
In 2012, 14% of lawyers in B.C. practiced outside of Vancouver, Victoria and Westminster.In 2014, 11% of lawyers in Alberta practiced outside of Calgary and Edmonton.In 2018, 22% of lawyers in Saskatchewan practiced outside of Saskatoon and Regina.Note: Most lawyers practicing outside of these … [Read more...]
Access to Justice Given a Boost by Downtown Eastside Sex Workers Case
20/20: Looking back over the last 20 yearsIn Downtown Eastside Sex Workers United Against Violence Society v Canada (Attorney General), 2012 SCC 45 (DESW), the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) adapted the rule on public interest standing. This resulted in the potential for better access to … [Read more...]
DBS v SRG: Retroactive child support claims
20/20: Looking back over the last 20 yearsI was not short of choices when LawNow asked me to write about one of the most important family law cases in the last twenty years. After consulting with Sarah Dargatz, my fellow columnist on family law issues, I decided to talk about DBS v SRG, a … [Read more...]
The Unchanging Meaning of ‘Charity’
20/20: Looking back over the last 20 yearsIt is often said that the only constant is change. But some things move faster than others.With 5G in the offing, few people now remember the days of dial-up internet and the non-profit groups that sprang up twenty or so years ago to offer access to … [Read more...]
Crime in Rural Alberta
Rural crime is a problem in Alberta. In the city, if you have a security alarm on your home, you can realistically expect it to be effective. In the country, who is going to hear the alarm? How long will it take for a police response?Before moving to an acreage, I (Dave) spent most of my life … [Read more...]
BENCHPRESS | Subway Pictograms, Roads on Reserve and Employee Attitudes
Subway Pictogram: Warning sign or law? Kosoian v Société de transport de Montréal, 2019 SCC 59On May 13, 2009, Ms. Kosoian rode a down escalator in one of Montreal’s subway stations. She didn’t hold the handrail. A police officer saw this and ordered her to hold the handrail or he would issue her … [Read more...]








