Alberta seeking greater role in judicial appointments, threatens to withhold funding for judges
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she wants a ‘formal and meaningful role’ for the province in the judicial appointment process and has threatened to withdraw funding to support any new judicial appointments unless a more collaborative process is set up.
Wednesday, February 04, 2026 @ 3:23 PM
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is asking the federal government for a greater say in judicial appointments and has threatened to withdraw funding to support any new judicial appointments in the province unless a more collaborative process is set up. In an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Smith also said Ottawa needs to relax bilingualism requirements for judicial appointments “that do not reflect Canada’s broader linguistic diversity in Western Canada and alienates Albertans and western Canadians alike.” ... [read more]
Labour board’s view that worker’s comments weren’t ‘sexual harassment’ was unreasonable: FCA
Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 5:13 PM
The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that a longtime WestJet employee’s persistent unwelcome comments, which had sexual undertones, were “sexual harassment” that could possibly justify his termination, notwithstanding that the labour board below made findings that none of his intrusive comments to his female coworkers were “sexual in nature or intent” and that no one interpreted his comments in a sexual manner. ... [read more]
Quebec SMEs call for grandfathering clause for Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 5:11 PM
Quebec small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are calling on the federal government for a grandfather clause and transitional measures to combat challenges they are facing due to current restrictions on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and “poorly aligned reforms” between Ottawa and Quebec. ... [read more]
Appeal Court upholds ministerial decision to refuse aquaculture licences in B.C.
Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 4:37 PM
The Federal Court of Appeal has upheld as reasonable a 2023 decision by the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to refuse to re-issue aquaculture licences to salmon farms in B.C.’s Discovery Islands, despite deviating from the department’s recommendation. ... [read more]
Estée Lauder Cosmetics fined for violating Environmental Protection Act
Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 3:01 PM
Estée Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. has been fined $750,000 after pleading guilty to two counts of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The company’s violation of the Act was discovered by Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers during a routine inspection. ... [read more]
