Immigration
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February 29, 2024
Canada implements new visa requirements on travellers from Mexico
Citing a recent “spike” in unsuccessful asylum claims made in Canada by Mexican citizens and the need to preserve “the integrity of our immigration system,” the federal government is starting to require visitor visas for Mexicans who do not hold valid U.S. non-immigrant visas or who have not held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years and are travelling by air on a Mexican passport.
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February 29, 2024
SCC won’t hear judge’s appeal of judicial council’s recommendation that he be fired by Parliament
Quebec Superior Court Justice Gérard Dugré — whose firing was recommended 14 months ago by the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC) due to his dilatory decisions and in-court misconduct — must decide whether to resign or take his defence on to federal Justice Minister Arif Virani and possibly Parliament, following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of his request to appeal the CJC’s decision recommending his removal.
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February 27, 2024
Online harms bill would create new hate crimes, duties for social media, stiff fines, imprisonment
The federal government’s proposed Online Harms Act was welcomed by several advocacy groups who rated it a substantial improvement over Ottawa’s proposed blueprint three years ago; however red flags were raised, including questions around new hate crime provisions and penalties; whether the definitions of the targeted online harms are appropriately tailored; and whether a proposed new online regulator’s broad discretionary powers have adequate safeguards.
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February 26, 2024
Ford slammed by bar for politicizing judge appointments; JPs threaten suit over pay review delays
Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government is garnering sharp criticism from the legal community for further politicizing an appointment process that four years ago was lauded as the “the gold standard for the appointment of an independent and qualified judiciary,” free from partisan considerations.
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February 26, 2024
Strategies for a healthy workplace environment: Proactive measures against bullying
Building an environment that cultivates productivity and uplifts employee morale is attributed to promoting a workplace that prioritizes health and well-being. Employers have the responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of staff, which includes taking proactive steps to address bullying and harassment.
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February 23, 2024
Canada expands Russia related sanctions, export prohibitions before 2nd anniversary of Ukraine war
Canada has added 10 people and 153 entities to its sanctions list in co-ordination with the United States and the United Kingdom on the eve of the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to a release by Global Affairs Canada.
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February 23, 2024
Ottawa files its appeal of Federal Court’s ruling that gov’t illegally invoked emergency powers
Citing multiple grounds of appeal, Ottawa has asked the Federal Court of Appeal to overturn last month’s Federal Court judgment that the federal Liberal government acted unreasonably and illegally two years ago when it declared a public order emergency and purported to arrogate to itself under the federal Emergencies Act extraordinary powers to end truckers' disruption of the capital and ports of entry in protest of government-mandated pandemic measures.
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February 23, 2024
Two new associate chief judges for Nova Scotia
Judge Ronda van der Hoek and Judge D. Shane Russell have been named associate chief judges, who can, in addition to hearing matters in court, assist the chief judge with responsibilities related to the administration of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court.
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February 22, 2024
Foreign interference inquiry must watch for excessive secrecy | Lorne Waldman
The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue of the Quebec Court of Appeal, has a vital mandate. It must investigate the extent of foreign interference and report so that faith in our electoral process is restored. But unlike many public inquiries, the work of this one is more challenging.
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February 21, 2024
Canada sanctions Guatemala’s attorney general, justice officials for undermining rule of law
Canada has established a new sanctions regime under the Special Economic Measures Act to address corruption and anti-democratic actions in Guatemala.