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 Business As 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...]
Top 5 Legal Mistakes in Starting a Small Business (Part 2)
Mistake #2: Not Having an Operating Agreement (Partnerships and Corporations) An “Operating Agreement” is a contract between the founders of the business. This includes people involved in the management, people who provide capital, and people who do both. This agreement sets out operative issues … [Read more...]
Top 5 Legal Mistakes in Starting a Small Business (Part 4)
Mistake #4: Not Being Adequately Insured New businesses often have insufficient insurance. In deciding what kind and how much insurance to secure, a new business owner should carefully examine the needs of the business. Here is a summary of the most common forms of insurance coverage. Property … [Read more...]
Top 5 Legal Mistakes in Starting a Small Business (Part 3)
Mistake #3: The Contents of Leases When you start a small business, you will need to consider where that business will be located. If your business is not a home-based one, this may be the first time you have had to deal with a commercial lease. Although such leases generally favour the landlord, … [Read more...]
Bankruptcy: The End or the Beginning?
Headed for bankruptcy? Find out what you need to know. This article will be helpful to someone who is trying to deal honestly with overwhelming personal indebtedness and who has a genuine desire to make a fresh start financially. Briefly noted are two of the changes to Canada’s Bankruptcy and … [Read more...]
Top 5 Legal Mistakes in Starting a Small Business (Part 1)
So you want to start a small business? You have your business plan at the ready, you can get a start-up loan with an interest rate that is at an all-time low, and your determination is at an all-time high. You are ready to go. Ironically, now – during this flurry of energy, excitement, and … [Read more...]
The Case for P3s: Public Private Partnerships
Introduction Canada’s civil and social “infrastructure deficit” is estimated to be up to $125 billion which is approximately 6-10 times the level of all current annual government infrastructure budgets combined. In this context and facing a potentially protracted worldwide economic slowdown, many … [Read more...]