Access to Justice
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May 16, 2025
Court of Appeal: SOIRA exemption unlikely with shorter sentence
On Oct. 28, 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada declared the provisions of SOIRA (Sexual Offender Information Registry Act) unconstitutional (R. v. Ndhlovu, 2022 SCC 38). Section 1 of the Charter could not save the provisions.
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May 15, 2025
When the judiciary and politics mix
Due to ethical constraints, Canadian judges rarely criticize politicians directly in speeches, but there have been moments of tension or implicit critique. The judiciary has a duty to remain impartial and above the political fray.
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May 14, 2025
Bill 5 risks the environment, human health, Indigenous rights by creating ‘law-free’ zones
If passed, Ontario’s Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, would effectively return us to the 1970s in terms of environmental oversight and safeguards. The government should withdraw Bill 5.
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May 14, 2025
Alberta releases strategy to end gender-based violence, prioritizes financial empowerment
In an effort to address gender-based violence and “create a safer home for every Albertan,” the Government of Alberta has issued a 10-year strategy to “engage men and boys as partners, enhance women’s economic empowerment and ensure targeted programs are Indigenous-led.”
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May 14, 2025
New OBA portal aims to match lawyers with pro bono opportunities
The Ontario Bar Association (OBA) has launched a new portal aimed at matching lawyers looking for opportunities to give back with organizations that need their help.
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May 14, 2025
Alberta Court of Appeal restricted gun case targets Firearms Act
Alberta residents Alan Swanson and Ian Runkle were notified in July 2020 by the Registrar of Firearms that certain restricted firearms they owned were now classified as prohibited weapons. As a result, any registration certificates they held were “automatically nullified.”
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May 13, 2025
New Carney Liberal Cabinet puts many lawyers on front benches in critical federal leadership roles
Lawyers who were key Cabinet members in Justin Trudeau's erstwhile minority Liberal government have assumed dominant roles in Prime Minister Mark Carney's new 29-member Liberal Cabinet.
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May 13, 2025
Yukon releases ‘What We Heard’ report on changes to public land laws
More land for housing, greater public input and the extent of Indigenous involvement were all touched upon as part of feedback on Yukon’s plan to modernize legislation governing the management and use of public land.
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May 13, 2025
Status quo in Ontario civil justice system ‘untenable,’ says Chief Justice Morawetz
Ontario’s civil justice system is in need of a big revamp. That was the overarching message from a presentation on the province’s Rules of Civil Procedure review hosted by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) May 12. During the presentation, Ontario Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz noted he has been “saying for a few years now” that the rules needed to be overhauled.
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May 13, 2025
CRTC seeks input to encourage participation in its proceedings
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced the launch of a public consultation aimed at enhancing public interest participation in its proceedings.