Rural crime is a problem in Alberta. In the city, if you have a security alarm on your home, you can realistically expect it to be effective. In the country, who is going to hear the alarm? How long will it take for a police response? Before moving to an acreage, I (Dave) spent most of my life … [Read more...]
The Impact of Brexit on the Free Movement of Persons
Citizens of the European Union (EU) are allowed to live and work, without special formalities, in the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA includes the EU’s 28 Member States as well as Switzerland and three non-EU countries - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. This is what we call “free movement of … [Read more...]
Investor-State Dispute Settlement and Climate Action
The recent 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit brought worldwide attention to the need for countries (or ‘states’) to take immediate action on climate change. The Summit was aimed at bringing world leaders together to discuss transformative action plans for addressing the potentially … [Read more...]
International Child Abduction
This article draws on the writer’s papers titled “International Child Abduction: How the Hague Convention On The Civil Aspects on International Child Abduction Operates in Canada” and “Case Comment on the SCC Ruling under the Hague Convention”. Contact the writer for more information on these … [Read more...]
Other Official Languages in Canada
Canada is known around the world as an officially bilingual country. Federally, French and English share equal status as the “official languages.” The same is true in some of the provinces and territories. What is perhaps not known as widely (in southern Canada, at least) is that there are other … [Read more...]
Why is Canada a Bilingual Country?
Canada has two official languages: French and English. We always wonder why. Canada’s two colonizing peoples are the French and the British. They controlled land and built colonies alongside Indigenous peoples, who had been living there for millennia. They had two different languages and cultures. … [Read more...]
Assurer l’éducation en français : les Franco-Albertains et leurs droits linguistiques
See below for English translation. Les droits linguistiques ont toujours été et sont toujours un sujet de discussion important dans de nombreux secteurs de la société canadienne, notamment : la promotion de l’accès aux services gouvernementaux et non gouvernementaux dans les deux langues … [Read more...]
The Constitutional Basis for Bilingualism in Canada
Language is not merely a means or medium of expression; it colours the content and meaning of expression. It is ... a means by which a people may express its cultural identity. It is also the means by which the individual expresses his or her personal identity and sense of individuality. - Ford v … [Read more...]
In Canada and elsewhere, freedom of speech is on the endangered list
Freedom of speech. Freedom of the press. These phrases may conjure up Hollywood-style images of noble activists and principled reporters butting heads with those in power – and winning. However, the reality is often far different: surveillance, gag orders, expensive and oppressive lawsuits, and … [Read more...]
The Key Provisions and Case Law Which Define Hate Speech
Within Canadian society, hate speech and the promotion of hatred is addressed at both the federal and provincial level. At the federal level, the key piece of legislation addressing this issue is the Criminal Code. Section 319(2) makes it an offence to publicly communicate statements that wilfully … [Read more...]