Although Canada has welcomed more than one million refugees since 1980, the challenging path to freedom in Canada continues to be difficult as some newcomers face time behind bars – despite being guilty of no crime at all.Recently, the federal government quietly announced plans to jail … [Read more...]
Right to Protest on Canadian University Campuses
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms includes the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association. But the courts have not been clear whether the Charter applies to protest encampments at universities.Protest encampments on Canadian university campuses have been dealt with … [Read more...]
How to Remove Defamatory Material Posted Online
The Internet is, by and large, the place where most individuals spend a large part of their day.Recent surveys have found that, on average, Canadians spend around six hours per day using the internet. Given how much time we spend using the Internet, it is not surprising that many have taken to … [Read more...]
Rosa Luxemburg: Murder of an icon
Rosa Luxemburg, a young Polish turned German political activist, bravely opposed World War I and was murdered for it. Her legacy lives on in media and among modern-day political protesters.Rosa Luxemburg, an early 20th century political activist who opposed colonialism and militarism, … [Read more...]
Caring for Fido After We Die
Pets are a valued part of many people’s lives, and we often worry about what will happen to them after we die.If you have ever wondered how to make sure your cherished companion is cared for after you pass away, you are not alone. This is an issue in family law as well when couples have to … [Read more...]
A first look at Alberta’s new life lease legislation
Recent media reports exposed gaps in consumer protection for life leases in Alberta, leading to May 2024 amendments to the Consumer Protection Act in an attempt to address these concerns.Within the past year, you may have heard about Alberta seniors trying to get their life savings back after … [Read more...]
The Right to Speak to a Lawyer is Not an Admission of Guilt
A call to podcast hosts and journalists to stop using constitutional rights as an ominous plot pointAs a true crime podcast and documentary connoisseur by night, and a criminal defence lawyer by day, declaring that my world is saturated with true crime content is an understatement. I enjoy … [Read more...]
What is an offence under Alberta’s renting laws?
Service Alberta can receive and investigate complaints about and issue fines for renting offences described in the Residential Tenancies Act.EDITOR’S NOTE This article was first published in LawNow on September 8, 2014. It was reviewed and updated in 2024.How familiar are you with offences … [Read more...]
Deficiency Judgments in Mortgage Proceedings
Some homeowners may have to pay the lender the difference between what they owe on their house and how much the lender recovers during the foreclosure process. This is known as a deficiency judgment.When someone can no longer pay their mortgage, they risk losing their home through a legal … [Read more...]
The Dog Days: Peace Officer Powers under the Animal Protection Act
With the record-breaking heat, drought, wildfires, and now flooding in Alberta, there are a great number of animals, both domestic and wild, that are suffering or who have been lost or displaced.If you come across a domestic animal that is in distress or who appears to have been mistreated or … [Read more...]
