Law360 Canada

Ottawa & provinces roll out disparate views on the ‘notwithstanding’ clause at Supreme Court

Isabelle Brunet, Quebec Department of Justice, and Guy Pratte, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Isabelle Brunet, counsel for the Attorney General of Quebec, and Guy Pratte of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, council for the Attorney General of Canada, put forward opposing arguments on whether there are implied substantive limits on the use of the Charter’s s. 33 override clause.

Thursday, March 26, 2026 @ 5:58 PM

Before the Supreme Court of Canada reserved its impending historic decision on March 26, the top court heard starkly different interpretations this week about the nature and operation of the Charter’s s. 33 “notwithstanding” clause. ... [read more]

Bar association warns against premiers’ push to vet judicial picks

Friday, March 27, 2026 @ 2:20 PM

The Canadian Bar Association (CBA) is calling on the federal government to resist “politicization” of judicial appointments amid calls for change from several provincial leaders. CBA president Bianca Kratt, in a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, said the process as it currently exists has “real strengths, above all its meaningful insulation from political considerations.” ... [read more]

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada releases report on AI impacts on financial industry

Friday, March 27, 2026 @ 1:40 PM

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has released a report highlighting AI issues related to “consumer financial well-being and protection, security and cybersecurity, financial crime and financial stability.” ... [read more]

U.S. decision to ban foreign aid is leading to public health emergency, experts say

Friday, March 27, 2026 @ 12:50 PM

The U.S. government’s decision to halt most of its foreign aid and development work constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under international law, according to Canadian and global experts in medical journal BMJ. ... [read more]

Ottawa introduces bill targeting foreign interference, deepfakes and long ballots

Thursday, March 26, 2026 @ 5:25 PM

The Liberal government has introduced legislation aimed at protecting federal elections from foreign interference, cracking down on “long ballot” protest tactics and curbing election-related misinformation, according to a March 26 release. ... [read more]