Constitutional
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January 24, 2025
B.C. Premier’s mandate letter to AG emphasizes improved access to justice, focus on crime
A new year, a new mandate for members of B.C.’s cabinet. Months after an extremely narrow election victory that saw the NDP win a one-seat majority in the provincial legislature, B.C.’s Premier David Eby has given marching orders to his executive council by issuing mandate letters, which outline the agenda he expects them to follow over the coming months.
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January 23, 2025
Supreme Court of Canada to hear challenge against Quebec’s secularism law
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a constitutional challenge against a Quebec law that prohibits certain public workers from wearing religious symbols while performing their duties.
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January 23, 2025
Alberta court certifies class action over alleged abuse of Indigenous students at school
An Alberta court has certified a class action over the alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse of Indigenous children at a school in Bonnyville, Alta. between 1966 and 1974.
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January 23, 2025
Duty to consult does not include right to veto land transfer, Ontario court rules
Two First Nations have been dealt a setback in their legal fight against the province’s transfer of land to a northwestern Ontario municipality, with a court saying the government was not required to get their consent in order to make the move.
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January 23, 2025
Prorogation ‘lawfare’ will amplify U.S. interference in 2025 election | Juliana Saxberg
Rather than protecting Canada from economic aggression from the United States, the recently launched legal challenge to “Trudeau’s prorogation” could topple the government at a particularly vulnerable moment, opening the floodgates to unrestrained foreign interference in the 2025 federal election.
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January 21, 2025
Canada, First Nations finalize terms of reference for assessment of northern Ontario's Ring of Fire
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and 15 First Nation partners have finalized the terms of reference for conducting the regional environmental assessment of northern Ontario's mineral-rich Ring of Fire area, potentially opening the way for future mining development.
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January 20, 2025
Ontario Court of Appeal upholds possession order for business on First Nation land
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld an order granting a corporation permanent possession of a business on Wasauksing First Nation (WFN) land following a joint venture dispute, while recognizing the First Nation's authority over land use decisions.
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January 17, 2025
Ontario law on campus anti-racism policies an intrusion on academic freedom, legal observers say
A number of scholars are raising concerns about new Ontario legislation which requires colleges and universities to bring in policies to counter racism and hate, saying it not only attacks the autonomy of academic institutions but also opens up the province to legal challenge.
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January 17, 2025
Federal Court of Appeal discourages Tax Court from sending out draft judgments to parties
Draft decisions are best kept behind closed court doors, the Federal Court of Appeal has indicated in a decision admonishing the Tax Court of Canada for sending out a draft copy of a decision for review by the parties involved. “We wish to comment on the practice the Tax Court followed here,” Justice David Stratas wrote for the three-judge panel in a recent decision in Doostyar v. Canada 2025 FCA 6.
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January 16, 2025
Manitoba to have special prosecutor for hate crimes
In a bid to combat hate crime in the province, Manitoba’s government is designating a lead Crown prosecutor to “tackle the issue.”