SCC judges probe what Charter s. 33 ‘override’ may mean for survival of Charter judicial review
‘Aren’t you asking the courts to get involved in political campaigns?’ asked Supreme Court of Canada Justice Suzanne Côté when counsel argued courts must still be able to issue declaratory judgments, so that the voting public learns of governmental incursions on their Charter rights, even after legislatures have invoked Charter s. 33 to prevent a law from being struck down for Charter infringement.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 @ 4:58 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 @ 12:04 PM
The argument that a legislature’s use of the Charter’s s. 33 “override” clause can temporarily prevent judges from striking down a law but not from reviewing the law’s constitutionality or stating that the law infringes Charter rights and freedoms sparked a lively exchange between counsel and the bench as the Supreme Court of Canada kicked off its inquiry into the constitutionality of Quebec’s controversial “secularism” (Bill 21) law. ... [read more]
Alberta MAID bill’s restrictions vulnerable to challenge beyond mental health issue: legal expert
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 @ 4:26 PM
Alberta lawmakers are currently grappling with legislation that would put guardrails on medical assistance in dying (MAID) for those who are suffering from mental health issues, but legal experts are saying other aspects of the law leave it vulnerable to legal challenge. ... [read more]
N.B. to increase public trustee’s ability to administer small estates
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 @ 4:20 PM
New Brunswick has introduced legislation that would widen the scope of its public trustee’s ability to deal with smaller estates. ... [read more]
Feds announce new EI Board of Appeal to begin work on April 1
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 @ 4:17 PM
On March 25, the federal government announced that the new Employment Insurance Board of Appeal (EI BOA) will begin receiving and hearing appeals as of April 1, 2026. ... [read more]
Court dismisses former immigration officer’s vexatious litigant appeal
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 @ 2:56 PM
The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of a former immigration officer who had his licence revoked and was deemed a vexatious litigant. ... [read more]
