I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. … Corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption in high places will follow . . .– Abraham Lincoln, quoted in Jack London’s The Iron HeelThe first sign of … [Read more...]
Chevron Corp. v. Naranjo: Goliath’s Global Anti-Enforcement Injunction against David
The clichéd David vs. Goliath depiction is one which is often used when describing legal cases. But Ecuador’s Lago Agrio community vs. the Chevron Corporation is one legal battle which aptly fits the analogy.The controversial case has a long history, involving alleged environmental violations in … [Read more...]
Lessons Learned from the British Petroleum Disaster
During the summer of 2010 the world was absorbed in live footage of the Macondo oil prospect bleeding 4.9 million barrels of oil into the surrounding ocean. Many months of helplessness followed the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon platform; an oil rig owned by Transocean but ultimately under the … [Read more...]
Encouraging Healthy Eating Through Legislation? The Case for Mandatory Menu Labels
How many calories in that snack?Having a mid-morning energy slump? How about a quick visit to Starbucks for, say, a café latté and a blueberry scone to hold you over until lunch? Unfortunately, that energy slump can quickly turn to energy excess with a 700-calorie snack that amounts to more than … [Read more...]
Growing Community Gardens
Law isn’t something most people think about when planting seeds or planning a garden. Soil, sun, and the promised bounty of a late summer harvest aren’t often associated with incorporations, contracts, and municipal bylaws. While passion, community support, and hard work are the seeds and soil of … [Read more...]
The land gives us more than food, but can the law give back?
Conservation:The supervision, management, and maintenance of natural resources. (Black’s Law Dictionary)The responsible preservation, management and care of our land and of our natural and cultural resources. (Alberta Land Use Framework)A state of harmony between men and land. (Aldo … [Read more...]
Food Safety in Canada – A Balancing Act?
Many of the food-related policies and the information that we rely upon as consumers have come about through the work of the Food Directorate and the CFIA.In 1967, Pierre Trudeau famously stated that the Canadian government has no place in the bedrooms of the nation. What he didn’t comment upon … [Read more...]
Do Canadians Have a Right to Adequate Food?
Individual Canadians generously contribute to food banks. What about the state’s obligation? Do Canadian governments (federal, provincial, municipal) have any legal obligations to address food insecurity?It may come as a surprise, but in Canada we have significant numbers of people who suffer … [Read more...]
Five Things Every Tenant Should Know
So you’ve found a nice place to rent and you’re excited about moving into your new home? There are some common things that every tenant should do in order to make sure that the renting process flows smoothly.1. You should have a written lease.You should always have a written lease with your … [Read more...]
Top 5 Legal Mistakes in Starting a Small Business (Part 5)
Mistake #5: Not Getting a Lawyer for your BusinessAs the owner of a business, you would likely never try to do all of your own accounting, computer support, and cleaning – you would probably hire someone. After all, you are there to run the business part of your endeavour – that is what you … [Read more...]
