Access to Justice
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March 14, 2024
Parental alienation cases: Challenges and realities
An increasing number of high conflict separations involve children resisting contact with a parent, cases that pose significant risks for harm to children, as well as substantial challenges for the courts, and lawyers and their clients. The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) advocates prohibition of the use of “parental alienation” in these cases, claiming that it is an unscientific “pseudo-concept” that causes family courts to lose sight of the child’s best interests. NAWL correctly points out that the Canadian justice system needs to do a better job of dealing with intimate partner violence.
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March 14, 2024
FCA upholds refusal to certify class action against Ottawa alleging discriminatory immigration fees
The Federal Court of Appeal has upheld the non-certification and striking out of claims of a proposed class action which contends that certain application fees for Canadian citizenship and permanent residence are analogous to a discriminatory “head tax” on those not born in Canada, in violation of the Charter’s s. 15(1) equality rights guarantee.
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March 12, 2024
More jails? | Norman Douglas
There are more than 60 retired Ontario Court judges on our private chat line. Most of us are wiser than when we were appointed. We have over a thousand years of hands-on experience in crime and punishment.
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March 12, 2024
Nova Scotia funding local groups in fighting gender-based violence
Nova Scotia is using its participation in a national gender violence action plan to fund more than a dozen front-line organizations in the province.
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March 08, 2024
Feds helping N.S. legal aid in access to justice for racialized inmates
Ottawa has been giving Nova Scotia legal aid hundreds of thousands in the name of better access to justice for racialized inmates in the province.
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March 08, 2024
National Uprising Day: Courage, resilience, continued struggle for Tibet | Karma T. Youngdue
On March 10, Tibetans worldwide solemnly observe the Tibetan National Uprising Day, which marks a pivotal moment in Tibetan history. This year, the commemoration marks the 65th anniversary of the uprising. On March 10, 1959, thousands of Tibetans in Lhasa staged a courageous uprising against Chinese occupation of Tibet, protesting the erosion of their cultural identity and oppressive policies. The Chinese response was swift and brutal, resulting in the loss of many Tibetan lives and forcing His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama into exile in India.
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March 06, 2024
How claims of innocence affect parole, part two | Michael Crowley
Remorse, or the lack of remorse as demonstrated in the Latimer case, is a question that arises much more frequently than cases that involve lifers and the question of the acceptance of guilt.
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March 07, 2024
The many reasons for regularizing status of undocumented workers | Lorne Waldman
In his December 2021 Mandate letter, Prime Minister Trudeau wrote to the then minister of Citizenship and Immigration and instructed him to “build on existing pilot programs to further explore ways of regularizing status for undocumented workers who are contributing to Canadian communities.” The PM’s reference to “existing pilot projects” was a recognition of the very successful program whereby undocumented construction workers in Toronto and the GTA can regularize their status.
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March 06, 2024
Paving the way to gender equality this International Women’s Day | Mujda Rasoul
March 8 is International Women’s Day, marking an annual day of celebrating the great achievements of women globally. This year’s theme is “Inspire Inclusion,” emphasizing the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society.
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March 05, 2024
Manitoba enhances community safety officer program
Manitoba has expanded the duties of its community safety officers.