Elvis Costello – Veronica
One of the saddest music videos — agree or disagree with Elvis Costello’s politics, the man takes issues seriously… . http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=g-rF4COOd9c
James C Morton
Is this too Machiavellian? Maybe the Conservatives want the justice system to collapse?
Almost all justice system players say the Crime Bills won't work — maybe that certain failure is intentional? Maybe the Conservatives want the legislation to fail? Yesterday I had a…
Women’s rights advocates receive Nobel Peace Prize
Three women who fought sexual violence in Liberia and Yemen received the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize today. This is not really news — the prizes were announced some time ago…
Conservatives appeal Wheat Board ruling
While I think the Conservative's position on the Wheat Board is bad for Canada, and especially Canadian farmers, I am very unsure the legislative changes are unlawful. That said, pending…
Arbitrators not strictly bound by Law or Equity
Nor-Man Regional Health Authority Inc. v. Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, 2011 SCC 59 holds that labour arbitrators are not legally bound to apply equitable and common law principles…
The Irwin Cotler incident
The Irwin Cotler incident, where Conservative Party operatives spread false news that Irwin Cotler had resigned and a by-election was in the offing, is more than mere political dirty tricks.…
A talk with Murray Calder
I had a good talk today with Murray Calder, a former Member of Parliament, about the future of the Liberal Party. Murray allowed me to speak directly on the blog…
Doctrine of Federal Paramountcy
Quebec (Attorney General) v. Canada (Human Resources and Social Development), 2011 SCC 60, released this morning, has a useful discussion of the Doctrine of Federal Paramountcy: …
Climbing
“Yes, I have climbed to the top of the greasy pole.” To friends, Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield to friends, on being made Prime Minister (1868).
MacKay threatens to sue MPs who questioned veracity of chopper tale
At the height of his fame Oscar Wilde sued the Marquess of Queensberry for libel. The libel trial unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to…
Wow – Government held to have breached Wheat Board Act! I didn’t see that coming!
"In a ruling today, Federal Court Judge Douglas Campbell said the government violated the Canadian Wheat Board Act by not holding a vote among farmers before introducing legislation eliminating the…
Punitive damages
Gill v. Singh, 2011 ONCA 770, released today, has some useful language about when punitive damages are available: (b) Punitive damages This was not a case for punitive damages which in law…
‘Desperate’ Tories fire back at MacKay’s critics
What troubles me most about this story is how it seems the Forces are being co opted into a political matter: Ottawa Notebook – The Globe and Mail http://bit.ly/tkcOFX Department…
Causation in fact and law
R. v. Kippax, 2011 ONCA 766 is a helpful case clarifying causation in criminal matters: To determine whether a person can be held responsible for causing a particular result, in this case…
Atleo vows to fight for First Nations rights
'"To the Crown we say: Do not ever believe that this national chief, or any future national chief, will ever quit or will ever compromise treaty or inherent rights. No…
My Commitments as the Next Vice President (English) of the Liberal Party
Within our Liberal family, there is universal agreement that we have a once in a generation opportunity to rebuild our Liberal Party and re-engage Canadians. At the Biennial Convention in…
The test for bias varies depending upon the functions of the decision maker and the question being decided
Davis v. Guelph (City), 2011 ONCA 761 is a useful case dealing with several issues including bias. The Court writes: It is well settled, however, that the test for bias varies depending…
A sentencing judge must give considerable weight to a joint submission
While in Canada the judge is not bound by sentencing submissions, the caselaw is clear those submissions ought to be given considerable weight: R. v. Hagen, 2011 ONCA 749. This…