Constitutional
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March 24, 2026
SCC judges probe what Charter s. 33 ‘override’ may mean for survival of Charter judicial review
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.
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March 24, 2026
Ontario court backs municipality’s decision on controversial bus shelter ads
Ontario’s top court has rejected efforts by a political party to put ads on municipal bus shelters expounding their views on gender issues, and a lawyer involved in the case is saying the decision provides a template for cities to follow when confronted with similar issues.
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March 24, 2026
Dalhousie U and King’s College to resurrect joint journalism-law program
Two universities in Nova Scotia are re-launching a joint degree program combining law and journalism in a bid to create professionals able to “cut through the noise” of today’s world.
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March 23, 2026
Seismic Bill 21 case draws record counsel & intervener presence at this week’s four-day SCC hearing
This week’s blockbuster Bill 21 appeal at the Supreme Court involves 140 counsel of record — with 64 of them slated to make oral argument over four days on behalf of the 10 main party groups and the record 51 interveners.
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March 19, 2026
B.C. legislation sparks debate over protest access zones at schools, places of worship
As the B.C. government doubles down on bubble zones that limit protest around schools and places of worship, civil libertarians are saying they not only violate Charter rights but are also largely unnecessary.
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March 18, 2026
World Anti-Doping Agency agrees to limit athlete data use after federal privacy probe
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has agreed to take steps to ensure that sensitive personal information collected from athletes that is under its control is not used for purposes beyond anti-doping, as part of a compliance agreement with the federal privacy commissioner.
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March 13, 2026
Human Rights Tribunal orders sweeping deaf inmate accommodation reforms in federal prisons
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) has ordered sweeping reforms to how federal prisons accommodate deaf inmates, ruling that Correctional Service Canada (CSC) must provide ASL interpretation for key meetings and meaningful daily communication.
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March 13, 2026
Saskatchewan eyeing way to have owners keep banned guns until compensated by feds
Saskatchewan is ramping up its push against the federal government’s gun buyback program — this time by proposing legislative changes that would allow owners of banned firearms to keep them on behalf of the province.
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March 12, 2026
Lerners welcomes new partner Pam Hrick
Pam Hrick has joined Lerners LLP as a partner in the firm’s Toronto office, working with its dispute resolution and advocacy group, as well as its personal injury (sexual assault and abuse) group.
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March 10, 2026
Ottawa clears TikTok to continue operating in Canada subject to new data undertakings
The federal government has approved the continued operation of TikTok in Canada, subject to new legally binding undertakings requiring the company to strengthen protections for Canadians’ personal data and enhance safeguards for minors.