The Lawyer's Daily

New Alberta public health bill repeals controversial COVID-19 powers

JCCF litigation manager Jay Cameron said the centre’s constitutional challenge would have to be amended if Bill 66 passes because it repeals the ministerial powers provision.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 @ 8:54 AM

The government of Alberta has introduced new legislation aimed at curbing some of the concerns raised about the powers it has used in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but legal observers are noting it does not address concerns about too much power being put in the hands of the provincial medical officer of health to issue orders without adequate oversight by elected representatives. ... [read more]

Ontario Superior Court urges deferral of proceedings due to stay-at-home order

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 @ 4:04 PM

Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice has announced that, effective immediately, it will defer as many matters as possible due to the current, provincewide stay-at-home order. The deferral decision includes virtual hearings and is intended to reduce the number of court staff, counsel or parties required to leave their homes to participate in court proceedings, the court said in an April 20 notice to the profession and public. ... [read more]

B.C. budget focuses on COVID-19, future economic growth CBABC president Jennifer Brun

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 @ 3:16 PM

British Columbia has outlined its fiscal plan for the next three years, and like their federal cousins B.C. lawmakers are focusing on the short-term need to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and a long-term focus on job growth and economic recovery. ... [read more]

Ontario appellate court acquits second person wrongly convicted by Motherisk evidence

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 @ 3:09 PM

Veteran Toronto criminal defence lawyer Clayton Ruby is disappointed that the Ontario Court of Appeal’s recent exoneration of a woman convicted of giving cocaine to her son nearly a quarter-century ago was “too narrow” and “uninterested” in exploring how the since-discredited and former Motherisk lab at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children was allowed to generate flawed evidence that put Joyce Hayman behind bars, and in not recommending some sanction against the lab’s founding director, Dr. Gideon Koren. ... [read more]

Toronto, Peel Region implement powers to close workplaces with COVID-19 outbreaks Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health, Peel Region

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 @ 4:09 PM

Last Updated: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 @ 9:22 AM

Two of Ontario’s largest public health regions are taking action to close workplaces that have had five or more COVID-19 cases in the previous 14 days, pre-empting what numerous doctors have been calling on the province to do. Toronto and Peel Region both announced April 20 that they will issue the closure orders under s. 22 of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, shutting workplaces for a minimum of 10 days. ... [read more]