Access to Justice
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April 10, 2024
Saskatchewan expanding law student placements in name of access to justice
In efforts to increase access to justice in rural, underserved areas, Saskatchewan is expanding “practical learning placements” for College of Law students willing to travel. According to an April 1 news release, the province’s government is investing $100,000 in “new practical learning opportunities” for students at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law — provided they are willing to “work in different communities for the term of their placements.”
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April 10, 2024
Section 33:The national pacifier | Tega Adjara
Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, commonly known as the notwithstanding clause, has long been a contentious provision within Canada’s constitutional framework. This paper contends that the time has come to abolish s. 33 from the Charter, especially in light of the rising tide of global populism. As populist movements gain momentum worldwide, the need to protect democratic values and individual rights becomes increasingly urgent.
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April 10, 2024
Using AI to bring value to organizations | Connie L. Braun and Juliana Saxberg
For every risk inherent in AI adoption, there is a counter-argument that AI has the potential to unlock benefits and solve real-world problems that have heretofore eluded human capability. Machine Learning technologies are already recognized to be advancing medical research and patient care, improving decision-making, mitigating climate change and distributing food aid more effectively, among other benefits.
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April 09, 2024
Yukon gets feedback on sex assault response team
Sex assault victims and other “stakeholders” in Yukon are calling on the territory’s government to boost the promotion of victim resources, increase the number of safe houses and develop a “clear policy” for the use of evidence collection kits. These are just a few recommendations made to the Yukon government after it had requested feedback on plans to expand its Sexualized Assault Response Team (SART) to rural communities within the territory.
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April 08, 2024
N.S. Appeal Court releases annual report, 2023
Around a third of those appearing before Nova Scotia’s top court last year were self-represented — an increase from the year before. This is just one of the stats detailed in the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal Annual Report for 2023. Released on April 2, this is the court’s second update of its kind.
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April 05, 2024
P.E.I. increases legal aid eligibility thresholds
In a bid to boost access to justice for struggling residents, Prince Edward Island is raising its thresholds for legal aid eligibility. On March 28, P.E.I.’s government announced that the annual income thresholds would increase to match “market basket measure” (MBM), a move it hopes will “more fairly represent the economic landscape and improve access to justice across the Island.”
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April 04, 2024
Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal float ideas for reforming their rules, seek bar’s input
The Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal are working on updating their rules and seeking the bar’s views on dozens of reform ideas, such as modifying the test for certifying national class actions; green-lighting non-lawyers to represent litigants if “the interests of justice so require”; and boosting the $100,000 cap on claims for matters that proceed as simplified actions.
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April 03, 2024
B.C. proposes amendments to protect renters from bad-faith evictions, unfair rent hikes
British Columbia is set to amend the Residential Tenancy Act to protect renters from bad-faith evictions and rent hikes above the annual allowable rent increase when children are added to the household, according to a government release.
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April 03, 2024
Unseen struggle: Foreign lawyers’ journey to the Canadian bar | Tega Adjara
In the bustling urban landscapes of cities like Toronto and Vancouver, a silent struggle unfolds, hidden beneath the surface of everyday life. It is a tale of resilience, determination and the pursuit of a dream that transcends borders.
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April 03, 2024
Exceptional application asks SCC to reconsider case of Canadians in Northeast Syria | Alex Neve
The prohibition on arbitrary arrest and detention is cornerstone to the rule of law, protected by such safeguards as the obligation to charge anyone who is deprived of their liberty with a recognized offence, provide them with a means to lawfully challenge their imprisonment and guarantee that they will face a prompt, fair trial at which they will be able to defend themselves.