Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects our freedom of expression, but this freedom is not absolute. The right to express our opinions is a crucial element of a democracy. Freedom of expression is a basic characteristic of personal development. It gives us the right to … [Read more...]
Evolution of our Freedom of Expression
We tend to take for granted that in Canada we are generally free to express, and to publish or broadcast, our views and opinions about almost any subject imaginable. However, it was not always this way. In early times, those who espoused views which were not in keeping with the majority, or with the … [Read more...]
Compelled Expression
The core values which free expression promotes include self-fulfilment, participation in social and political decision-making, and the communal exchange of ideas. Free speech protects human dignity and the right to think and reflect freely on one’s circumstances and condition. It allows a person to … [Read more...]
Disabilities and Addiction in the Workplace
Employee alcohol and drug addictions in the workplace can be very difficult issues for employers to manage. Addiction is recognized as a mental disability, which means that employers cannot automatically terminate employees because of their addiction. On the contrary, employers are required to … [Read more...]
Political Belief and Discrimination in Employment Law
The Canadian Human Rights Act sets out prohibited grounds of discrimination under s. 3(1): For all purposes of this Act, the prohibited grounds of discrimination are race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, … [Read more...]
5 Basics Every Startup & Growing Business Should Know About Employment Law
Growing a business takes people. In early days, many startups have just one “employee”: the founder. At some point, the founder might retain the services of independent contractors to perform certain services. And eventually, many startups and growing businesses hire employees and become, for the … [Read more...]
Governments’ use of AI in immigration and refugee system needs oversight
In an effort to bring innovations to its immigration and refugee system, Canada has begun using automated decision-making to help make determinations about people’s applications. A report released in September 2018 by the University of Toronto’s International Human Rights Program and the Citizen … [Read more...]
Refugee Protection and the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement
The right to be protected from persecution is an international human right. Under Canada’s immigration laws, a person in Canada can claim status as a Convention Refugee or as a Person in Need of Protection. Article 1(2) of the United Nations 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (the … [Read more...]
Citizens in the West should care about discriminatory immigration policies
An executive order banning citizens from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States ushered in the first major policy conflict of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Demonstrations quickly spread across airports as prominent Democrats, some Republicans and … [Read more...]
A Brief Overview of Canadian Immigration Law
Immigration law in Canada can seem daunting and confusing to understand. It would certainly be difficult to condense all immigration-related concepts within a single article. This article serves as a basic overview to provide an understanding of common terms and immigration programs in Canada. It … [Read more...]