Natural Resources
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June 17, 2025
CBA backs constitutional amendment to constrain federal use of Charter’s ‘notwithstanding’ clause
In a rare move, the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) has thrown its support behind a Senate public bill (S-218), which proposes a constitutional amendment to restrict and structure the discretion of the federal government to breach Charter rights via the contentious s. 33 “notwithstanding” clause.
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June 17, 2025
Alberta secession faces significant legal hurdles over Indigenous rights, scholars say
As the spectre of separation crawls its way back into the Canadian consciousness once again, legal scholars are saying the process may not be as smooth as some in Alberta think it will be — especially as it concerns the province’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples.
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June 16, 2025
Nova Scotia announces faster approvals process for metal mining projects
The Nova Scotia government has announced a streamlined approvals process for metal mining that will feature phased, post-approval submission of key operational plans. But environmental advocates are raising concerns that the new system will reduce transparency and public input.
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June 16, 2025
Bill C-5: A legal feeding frenzy at the expense of Indigenous jurisdiction
The federal government’s proposed Bill C-5 — which includes the Building Canada Act — sets a two-year timeline for major project approvals. On the surface, it promises efficiency and economic momentum. But from the perspective of many Indigenous leaders and legal professionals, this legislation signals a looming crisis: the sidelining of Indigenous law, the erosion of meaningful consultation, and a surge of culturally incompetent legal advocacy that risks deepening colonial harm.
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June 13, 2025
Alberta court orders Nova to pay Dow $1.62B more in ethylene dispute
The Alberta Court of King’s Bench has ordered Nova Chemicals to pay damages of $1.62 billion to Dow in addition to a previous payment of $1.43 billion for losses related to the companies’ jointly owned ethylene plant in Joffre, Alta.
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June 13, 2025
CBSA to probe whether imported Chinese thermal paper rolls are being dumped or subsidized
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has announced that it is investigating whether thermal paper rolls originating in or exported from China and imported into Canada are being subsidized or dumped.
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June 12, 2025
Energy board commissioners lose key legal and political battles
Quebec energy board commissioners have suffered major back-to-back legal and political losses after the Court of Appeal overturned a lower court decision that held they performed quasi-judicial functions and the provincial government passed a sweeping and controversial reform that fundamentally weakens the regulatory powers of the Régie de l’énergie.
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June 11, 2025
Electricity Alliance Canada outlines five priorities for feds, urges project approvals
Electricity Alliance Canada has called on the federal government to “develop a bold and immediate plan” for electricity, stressing that one is “urgently needed to meet growing demand, secure the country’s economic future and become an energy superpower.”
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June 10, 2025
Canada’s top judge declares ‘in this country, the rule of law is non-negotiable’
Lawyers, as officers of the court, have a professional “responsibility and obligation” to defend the rule of law and the independence of the bar and judiciary against attacks, Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner said at his annual news conference in Ottawa.
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June 10, 2025
Ontario’s Bill 5: Undermining Indigenous rights, species at risk protections in name of growth
On June 4, 2025, Ontario’s Ford government enacted Bill 5: Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, despite widespread opposition from Indigenous communities, environmental advocates and the broader public. This sweeping omnibus bill amends or enacts 10 different laws, including: