It is trite law that guidance about registered charities issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), through its Charities Directorate, does not have the force of legislation or regulations. Courts can reject or ignore it when determining the permissibility or impermissibility of an organization’s … [Read more...]
Human Rights Implications of New Provincial Impaired Driving Laws
Like many other Canadians, I am not terribly sympathetic towards people who drive while impaired, through alcohol, drugs (prescribed or illegal), while texting, or experiencing extreme fatigue. We have a set of laws under the federal Criminal Code of Canada, RSC 1985 c C-46, that address impaired … [Read more...]
Occupational Health and Safety 3: Ticket Offences at Work
Introduction Most Canadians are familiar with “tickets” for minor offences. If we have personal experience at all with the legal system, it is most likely through receiving the occasional ticket for parking, seat belts, rolling through a stop sign, speeding or some other traffic offence. There … [Read more...]
Sacco and Vanzetti: The Never-ending Wrong
I’ve got no time to tell this tale the dicks and bulls are on my trail But I’ll remember these two good men That died to show me how to live -Woody Guthrie, Two Good Men, from Ballads of Sacco and Vanzetti I have long been fascinated by the American case that was … [Read more...]
Volunteerism Fuels Class Action at the Landlord Tenant Board
“I couldn’t raise my children here, there were mice, cockroaches... every day. I accepted this as part of my life for too long. What changed was a light went on in my head, and I realized that this was not right.” - Fatima Fatima is one of nearly 25 low-income tenants who decided to take … [Read more...]
Random Alcohol and Drug Testing as a Complex Human Rights Issue
At the moment in Canada, there are some legal cases dealing with unions, privacy and random drug testing. The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) recently decided a case on the issue. See: Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Local 30 v Irving Pulp and Paper Mill, 2013 SCC 34 … [Read more...]
Working Abroad
It’s a familiar rite of passage. Get a diploma, get a backpack (Canadian flag optional), get a plane ticket and head off to explore the world. Ready to go? Here’s some information to help you get on your way. International Experience Canada (IEC), a program managed by Foreign Affairs, Trade … [Read more...]
Alberta Law Libraries: An Overview
Alberta Law Libraries is joining LawNow as a regular contributor with information about the assistance they can give. Alberta Law Libraries (ALL) is a network of law libraries across the province existing to provide research support and information services to the legal community (including the … [Read more...]
Bill C-10: The Government’s Tough Stance Against Criminal Record Holders
Bill C-10 On September 20, 2011, then Justice Minister Rob Nicholson tabled Bill C-10, an omnibus crime bill titled the Safe Streets and Communities Act. The Bill proposed to make fundamental changes to many components of Canada’s criminal justice system, including the pardon process. In March of … [Read more...]
Whatever Happened to… Tilden Rent A-Car
The Facts Mr. John Clendenning of Woodstock, Ontario travelled a lot in his work and often rented a car from the Tilden Rent‑A‑Car Company when he was away from home. He would get extra insurance protection in the event he had an accident with the rental vehicle. On a trip to Vancouver he picked … [Read more...]
