We Are In A Constitutional Crisis
We Are In A Constitutional CrisisLots of people are arguing that if the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) rules to restrict the Notwithstanding Clause (S33) or the Governor General dusts…
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Danielle Smith Just Forced Detransition On Trans Youth In Alberta
Last night, the UCP slammed down the Notwithstanding Clause to bolster its anti-transgender legislation.I'm not going to spend my time talking about my objections to Bill 9 and Bills 26,…
An Ode To Software Design Documentation
This is a departure from my usual discussions of politics, law, and current affairs - I want to delve into another area of interest for me - software engineering, and…
Governments Seizing Powers They Have No Right To
In Alberta recently the UCP government has written a number of laws which undermine the role of the courts as a check on power. There are several strategies that are…
May I Introduce The Phrase "Ultra Vires"?
Alberta plans to invoke its "Sovereign Alberta" legislation as part of "fighting back" against federal firearms legislation that bans firearms that are commonly seen as "military-style". As the first application…
Howdy Folks! Been A While, Eh?
So I was sitting in front of the fire last night and I got to thinking about the blog. I hadn't logged on for at least two years (aside from…
The UCP Is Not A Reasonable Party
So, Danielle Smith was booed at the UCP annual convention last night. Why? Because she signed a deal with Ottawa. Nobody should be surprised by this - least of all…
Bill 9 and Smith’s Justification For Invoking S33
Over at the Government of Alberta website, we have the government's propaganda piece trying to justify using S33 to stomp all over the rights of transgender Albertans, their parents, and…
An Open Letter To Premier Smith
Dear Premier Smith, It wasn't that long ago that you were standing at the podium telling us that Bills 26, 27, and 29 were so well crafted that you were…
Eating on the road: Lounge and plane food from my summer vacation — part two
After five amazing and relaxing nights in the Maldives, and some great meals I will review separately, it was back into the air for the next leg of my journey…
The Charter Is Far More Complex Than This
So, over at Macleans, we have an opinion writer who thinks the Notwithstanding Clause (S33) is a "Good Thing". The author largely is making the argument that "too much power…
Eating on the road: Lounge and plane food from my summer vacation — part one
As I prepare to venture to Montreal for a mini-vacation and a good steak frites, it occurs to me I have fallen woefully behind in my food blogging. So to…
The Premier Who Would Be Queen
Danielle Smith wants to promote herself to monarch. She's discovered that she can magick your rights away at a whim with The Notwithstanding Clause (S33). Smith has in the last…
Wherein Colin Wright Takes A Victory Lap
Over in The Wall Street Journal, author Colin Wright takes a victory lap declaring that transgender youth are in fact the result of "social contagion". As you might expect, he's…
Reserve Powers, The Notwithstanding Clause, and Unjust Laws
Since the Smith-led UCP government in Alberta saw fit to invoke The Notwithstanding Clause (S33) of The Charter of Rights and Freedoms (The Charter) to order teachers back to work…
Alberta Bill 2 and The Notwithstanding Clause
So, Alberta has used S33 as part of its “Back To Work” legislation for ending the teachers strike. There will be many pixels of virtual ink spilled over this. Much…
Conservatism Is Dead
Conservatism in Canada is no longer a coherent political philosophy. It has become a hybrid of a business that sells access to power, and a collection of people who have…
Parasitic Capitalism (Oilpatch Edition)
I have little love for the oil & gas industry in Alberta. Having grown up here, worked in and adjacent to the industry for years, I have become increasingly disillusioned,…
So Poilievre Doesn’t Like Birthright Citizenship
I see that Poilievre has borrowed another page from GOP politics - this time he’s going after birthright citizenship. Birthright citizenship is really nothing more than “if you are born…
Dear Conservative Premiers: The Charter Isn’t Up For Shredding
So the 5 conservative premiers have sent a letter to Carney demanding that the Attorney General of Canada (AGC) withdraw its filing with the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) regarding…