Law360 Canada

Courts can override Crown’s non-consent to judge-alone trial if necessary to protect Charter rights: SCC

Photo of Marie-Claude Bourassa, Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales

Marie-Claude Bourassa, co-counsel with Joëlle Huot for the respondent Crown, Quebec’s Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales, said the Supreme Court’s majority has established that the attorney general’s decision whether to consent to a judge‑alone trial under s. 473(1) of the Criminal Code does not fall within core prosecutorial discretion as it does not directly impact the nature and extent of the criminal jeopardy to which the accused will be subjected.

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 5:43 PM

Elaborating on courts’ jurisdiction to review decisions involving prosecutorial discretion, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a Quebec homicide case that trial judges can override the Crown’s refusal to agree to a judge-alone trial, if it is necessary to protect the accused’s Charter rights. ... [read more]

Court finds conflict of interest for corporate class in COVID-19 business losses class action

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 5:02 PM

In a class action related to losses that businesses suffered due to COVID-19 health orders, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench has adjourned an application to certify an additional corporate class, finding conflict of interest relating to the plaintiffs’ pleadings and within the proposed class itself. ... [read more]

Ottawa extends EI relief as 35% U.S. tariff threat looms over trade talks

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 4:50 PM

The federal government has extended temporary measures that make it easier for Canadians to qualify for employment insurance (EI) as the country faces a potential hike in U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports to 35 per cent if the two countries don’t reach a new trade agreement by Aug. 1. ... [read more]

B.C. Labour Relations Board certifies union at Amazon facility in a first for Western Canada

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 3:13 PM

Last Updated: Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 5:29 PM

The B.C. Labour Relations Board has awarded union certification to workers at an Amazon warehouse in Delta, B.C. ... [read more]

Federal Court awards Turkish broadcaster $5.96M in damages for copyright infringement

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 5:04 PM

The Federal Court has ordered certain IPTV providers to pay $5.96 million in statutory damages for infringing a Turkish broadcaster’s copyright in 2,974 episodes of 22 TV series and its live television channel. ... [read more]