B.C. bar president says UNDRIP law implementation must be transparent, protect court access
Implementing DRIPA’s provisions is ‘complex work’ that must be undertaken transparently, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and with adequate funding, said CBABC president Patricia Blair.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 @ 2:41 PM
As B.C. contemplates making changes to its landmark Indigenous relations law, the president of the province’s bar association is affirming her organization’s support for the legislation and is calling on the government to be transparent in its implementation. In a statement issued April 14, Canadian Bar Association British Columbia Branch (CBABC) president Patricia Blair called the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), which mandates the B.C. government to bring provincial laws into alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the cornerstone of British Columbia’s commitment to reconciliation. ... [read more]
Ottawa suspends excise tax on fuel to ease cost pressures on Canadians
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 @ 5:06 PM
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a temporary suspension of the federal excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel in a bid to reduce the impact of rising fuel prices following the war in Iran. ... [read more]
Ontario to ban uniform charges, proposes new legislation for entertainment industry
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 @ 4:58 PM
Ontario has brought proposed changes to the Employments Standards Act to ban employers from charging employees for required uniforms. It is also proposing the new Strengthening Talent Agency Regulation (STAR) Act to improve transparency and oversight of talent agencies for better protection of performers’ paycheques in the entertainment industry. ... [read more]
Lien discharge provision cannot be used to vacate lien security: Alberta court
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 @ 4:48 PM
The Alberta Court of King’s Bench reinstated security posted for a construction lien, finding that an applications judge erred by vacating it under inapplicable statutory provisions governing liens. ... [read more]
Manitoba top judge talks 2024-25 Appeal Court report
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 @ 4:27 PM
Since taking the judicial helm, Manitoba’s chief justice has taken pains to lower the number of active cases in front of the province’s Court of Appeal — as is demonstrated in its latest annual report. And as the court continues its digital transformation, Chief Justice Marianne Rivoalen also hopes to one day be able to include statistics on the court’s use of remote hearings. ... [read more]
