Natural Resources

Monday, July 31, 2023 @ 12:36 PM

I recently attended the 40th anniversary of my call to the bar to see colleagues I have not seen for years. This should normally be a time for personal reflection and spiritual growth. But I did spend the smallest amount of time contemplating the reflection in the mirror to make sure I had not grown too much physically. My decades of working out did treat me well. Yes, colour me shallow, and this was no longer high school. ... [read more]

Monday, July 31, 2023 @ 11:53 AM

On June 30, 2023, the Attorney General of Ontario reinstated the practice of appointing King’s counsel after a pause in this process between 1985 and 2022. Immediately thereafter the ruling government in Ontario made, in my view, a serious error in judgment by appointing sitting members of the government who were lawyers, King’s counsel. ... [read more]

Thursday, July 27, 2023 @ 12:56 PM

As of Jan. 1, 2024, the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) will “allow virtual verification of client identity where the licensee determines that the client’s government-issued photo identification is authentic.” ... [read more]

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 @ 5:00 PM - Last Updated: Wednesday, July 26, 2023 @ 5:19 PM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has executed a massive summer shuffle of his cabinet — including the replacement of Justice Minister David Lametti with a former human rights litigator. Lametti, a one-time law professor elected as an MP in 2015 and appointed justice minister and attorney general in 2019, was one of seven ministers dropped from cabinet on July 26 after Trudeau did a massive cabinet refresh that saw just as many make their first jump to the front benches. ... [read more]

Tuesday, July 25, 2023 @ 1:47 PM

Ottawa has outlined its plans to eliminate what it calls “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies as part of its efforts to reach a “net-zero” economy by 2050. ... [read more]

Monday, July 24, 2023 @ 4:38 PM

The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) announced on July 24 that it has submitted a complaint to the Civilian Review Complaint Commission for its systemic investigation into the RCMP “E” Division Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG). The complaint concerned RCMP’s alleged lack of knowledge regarding an injunction to stop interference with logging.  ... [read more]

Monday, July 24, 2023 @ 11:38 AM

Since I retired, I do not speak to law firm partners very often, which is just fine with me. For one thing, I cannot afford to speak to them about professional matters. For another, I have had quite my fill of speaking to partners about topics that they know precious little about, such as how to run a law firm profitably while maintaining a positive and welcoming culture. ... [read more]

Monday, July 24, 2023 @ 11:12 AM - Last Updated: Monday, July 24, 2023 @ 7:18 PM

Before applications for the Supreme Court of Canada’s western and northern vacancy closed July 21, Law360 Canada spoke with lawyers, judges and academics about which qualified jurists might be appointed to the seat on the top court vacated last month by former justice Russell Brown. ... [read more]

Friday, July 21, 2023 @ 2:27 PM

“Made in Canada” or “Product of Canada” claims (Canadian origin claims) can allow companies to differentiate their products and appeal to consumers who desire to buy products of Canadian origin. ... [read more]

Thursday, July 20, 2023 @ 12:37 PM

Ottawa has announced Canadian dealings bans and other sanctions against 20 individuals and 21 entities “connected to Russia’s military-industrial complex” and against 19 individuals and four entities in Russia’s cultural and education sectors. ... [read more]