An overview of the unwritten and unspoken terms implied by law and by fact into employment contracts. In Canada, every non-unionized employee has a contractual relationship with their employer. What does that contract look like? Employment contracts may be written or oral, or both. When you sign … [Read more...]
Re-opening the Case of L’Etranger
Albert Camus’ early masterpiece The Stranger, published in 1942, is an enigmatic fable that has entranced generations of readers. One such reader, the Algerian journalist Kamel Daoud, has expressed his admiration for Camus’ writings. Despite his appreciation, he also poses serious questions about a … [Read more...]
Sexting: What’s the big deal?
What is sexting? Is it illegal? What is consent? Let's dive straight into one of the most controversial topics among youth today. Sometimes the laws are the same for youth, sometimes they are different. Our new Youth & the Law column aims to help readers better understand legal topics affecting … [Read more...]
Equality Issues and Assisted Death Legislation
In Carter v Canada (Attorney General), the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruled that Criminal Code sections 241 and 14 deprived adults of their right to life, liberty and security of the person under s. 7 of the Charter. Sections 241 and 14 prohibited physician-assisted dying for competent adults who … [Read more...]
An Update on Short-Term Rentals
I’ve been waiting for years to write this article. In the housing sphere, short-term rentals have been an issue for quite a while. Typically transacted through on-line platforms such as Airbnb, a short-term rental is a type of rental accommodation where a person (often referred to as a “host”) rents … [Read more...]
What is Plain Language?
"A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information." - International Plain Language Working Group (IPLWG) A communication in plain language can be a … [Read more...]
Shared Custody Parenting: Income Tax Issues
Since the introduction of the Federal Child Support Guidelines (FCSG) in 1997, custody arrangements have affected child support obligations for Canadian parents. The greatest flexibility applies to “shared custody” situations. Under the FCSG, a child is in shared custody where each parent “exercises … [Read more...]
From the Trenches of High-Conflict Family Litigation
Never have I ever: set out to engage in high-conflict family litigation. And when I say high-conflict, I mean cases where the parties can’t put their own emotions aside to make good decisions for themselves and their children. Somehow, though, it finds me. Time and again I have tried to minimize the … [Read more...]
Senate Report Offers Blueprint for Federal Charity Law Reform
With a federal election slated for this October, there is little chance we will see any major changes to the Income Tax Act (ITA) rules governing registered charities in the coming weeks. Once the election is over, however, whichever party forms government could do worse than use the … [Read more...]
Confidentiality Clauses: the Jan Wong Case
. . . I can’t disclose the amount of money I received I’d just been paid a pile of money to go away . . . Two weeks later a big fat check landed in my account. Even with a vastly swollen bank account . . . Introduction Almost all lawsuits are settled or abandoned. Only about 5% go … [Read more...]
