Although the idea that charities ought to be more entrepreneurial is frequently lauded these days, the practical difficulties of doing so are easy to underestimate. One aspect of this is the suggestion that charities could or should engage in more revenue-generating activities as a means of advancing their mandates. More of such activity would not […]
Whatever Happened To… The Edmonton Journal and Freedom of the Press in Canada
Every person who is the proprietor, editor, publisher or manager of any newspaper published in [Alberta], shall when required to do so by the Chairman [of the Social Credit Board], publish in that newspaper any statement furnished by the Chairman which has for its object the correction or amplification of any statement relating to any […]
Occupational Health and Safety
Introduction This article is the first in a series of columns on the topic of safety at work. Canadians spend most of their economically-productive years in the workforce. Most are spared a serious injury or worse. But there is always danger at work, particularly in the heavy industries that contribute to the Alberta economy. The […]
Resistance to Dictatorship and Piercing the Immunity of the General
This column is a continuation of a discussion of these two books. The first part was published in LawNow March/April 2012. A look at Carmen Aguirre’s Something Fierce: Memoirs of A Revolutionary Daughter (2011); Heraldo Normeydo Mendoza’s The Dictator’s Shadow: Life Under Augusto Pinochet (2008) Having completed Aguirre’s very fine memoir, Something Fierce: Memoirs of […]
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a set of fifteen statutory and administrative rights outlining the service standards that Canadian taxpayers can expect in their dealings with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The Bill was introduced in 2007 on the premise that increased accountability and transparency on the part of the CRA would, in turn, […]
Corruption and Scandals – A Modest Proposal for Electoral Reform
Anyone who follows politics or even just reads the news knows that great political questions and issues of public philosophy often get set aside from the political agenda because of the intervention of scandals involving a few individuals. The media, and therefore the public, are focused on whether X did or did not pay/bed so […]
Universities, the Charter and Freedom of Expression
The law has always been quite complex about whether (or when) the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter) applies to universities. Recently, there have been several cases involving freedom of expression (Charter s. 2(b)) that have addressed this issue. Charter s. 32(1) says: 32. (1) This Charter applies (a) to the Parliament and government of […]
Resolving Conflict: Six Simple Steps to Keeping the Peace
One of the most challenging roles of an effective manager is that of “peacekeeper”. Resolving conflicts in the workplace takes negotiation skills, patience, and a healthy dose of emotional intelligence. Recently, I interviewed Susan Steinbrecher, an author, executive coach and speaker who is CEO of Steinbrecher and Associates, a management-consulting firm, to gain further insight […]
Opening Closed Doors – The downside of suing your abuser
In the last issue of LawNow I outlined a number of good reasons why you might want to sue the person who is abusing you. However, there are an equal number of good reasons why you might choose to pass up a civil suit. Any one or a combination of the following options might be […]
Employer Access to Your Social Media Life
Introduction Over the last month, the legality of requests by prospective employers to access applicants’ Facebook and other social media accounts has arisen. These accounts may reveal a more complete picture of the employee, especially what the employee really thinks, says and does outside of the workplace. (Requiring a release of actual passwords seems to […]
