[on the Supreme Court of Canada being ‘the most progressive in the world’] I would say so, yeah, and I must say I’m very proud of that. - Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada (June 2018) Introduction In an article for LawNow a few years ago, I was staggered to see how … [Read more...]
Something Old Becomes Something New: Alberta’s Employment Standards Code
Employers and employees in Alberta should be aware of changes made to the Employment Standards Code, most of which will take effect this fall. As expected, the new government has reversed many of the changes that the NDP implemented to employment standards in 2017. However, not all the changes … [Read more...]
Much of the Criticism of Bill C-69 is Demonstrably False
“So destructive … (it) must die,” claims Licia Corbella (“Corbella: Bill C-69 is Trudeau’s bookend to his father’s disastrous NEP,” Calgary Herald, Sept. 14). A “grave danger to the Trans Mountain pipeline … This beast should be ritually slaughtered,” implores Don Braid (“Braid: Liberals’ own … [Read more...]
Viewpoint 43-2: Much of the Criticism of Bill C-69 is Demonstrably False
“So destructive … (it) must die,” claims Licia Corbella (“Corbella: Bill C-69 is Trudeau’s bookend to his father’s disastrous NEP,” Calgary Herald, Sept. 14). A “grave danger to the Trans Mountain pipeline … This beast should be ritually slaughtered,” implores Don Braid (“Braid: Liberals’ own … [Read more...]
Viewpoint 42-4: Understanding Parole: Paul Bernardo Eligible for Full Parole in February 2018
February 2018 marks 25 years since the arrest of Paul Bernardo for the rapes and murders of two young women in Ontario. Following one of the longest and most highly publicized criminal trials in Canadian history, he was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and given the automatic and … [Read more...]
Viewpoint 42-3: Tradition Triumphs: A New Guard for Canada’s Supreme Court
On June 12, 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada hinted that it would be making an “announcement of interest” later that afternoon. What could it possibly be, many of us legal beagles wondered. Was it an unexpected judicial retirement? Could it be that the Chief Justice of Canada herself was … [Read more...]
Viewpoint 42-2: Elected Municipal Officials Must Be Careful About Conflicts of Interest
Introduction At the time we are writing this, the province of Alberta is in election campaign mode for all of its municipal leaders known as mayors, councilors and reeves. At the same time, the federal Minister of Finance is under the ethical spotlight for how he continues to hold his personal … [Read more...]
Viewpoint 42-1: Scoring NAFTA: The United States Trounces Canada in Investor-State Disputes
“NAFTA is the worst trade deal maybe ever signed anywhere, but certainly ever signed in this country” (September 26, 2016) “Because NAFTA . . . is perhaps the greatest disaster trade deal in the history of the world. Not in this country. It stripped us of manufacturing jobs. We lost our jobs. … [Read more...]
Viewpoint 41-6: Chief Justice McLachlin: The Supreme Court’s steady hand
The Supreme Court of Canada homepage opens with, “Canadians are privileged to live in a peaceful country.” With Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin retiring in December, that homepage opener is too modest. It should read, “Canadians are privileged to live in a country with an outstanding chief … [Read more...]
Viewpoint 41-5: Canada at 150: How strong are the ties that bind our federations?
The nation is not in crisis - what better time to take a fresh look at the state of our federal community? Graham Fox and F. Leslie Seidle Canadians are enjoying a year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation. This important milestone will be marked by festivities of various … [Read more...]
