The Friday Brief: Managing Editor’s must-read items from this week

Matthew Grace

Here are my picks for the top stories we published this week.

I was followed by private investigator: Manitoba chief justice
Manitoba’s chief justice has revealed he was recently tailed by a private investigator in what he figures was an attempt to catch him breaking COVID-19 rules and embarrass him as he presides over a dispute involving public health restrictions.

Law Commission of Ontario’s latest AI case study raises concerns with genotyping DNA tools
A recent Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) report has highlighted the use of Probabilistic Genotyping (PG) DNA tools in Canada’s criminal courts and warns that “absent proper scrutiny, process, and legislation, there is a risk that AI tools, including PG DNA algorithms, will worsen racism in Canada’s justice system, and put access to justice further out of reach for many Ontarians.”

Former Supreme Court justice Stevenson dies at 87
William Stevenson, a former judge of the Supreme Court of Canada and distinguished pioneer in judicial education, has died, the top court announced July 12. Stevenson, 87, was just 58 when he resigned, citing unspecified “ill health” in 1992, after less than two years on the highest bench. He served with “great distinction and honour” during 17 years as a judge, including on Alberta’s District, Queen’s Bench and Court of Appeal, Kim Campbell, the federal justice minister of the day, said in a statement when he retired.

Federal employment equity legislation ‘needs to be brought into the 21st century’: minister
Ottawa has struck a task force to undertake a review of federal employment equity legislation aimed at ensuring it reflects a more modern understanding of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Fraudulent sick leave: Importance of the second lie
In his column, Stuart Rudner writes: “Employers faced with suspicions of employee misconduct should always ensure that they investigate fairly, which includes confronting the individual. While many employers resist doing so, the reality is that in many cases, it will strengthen the employer’s position. It may also prevent them from making a costly mistake, as they may learn of exculpatory or mitigating factors before dismissal, instead of during litigation.”

Matthew Grace is the Managing Editor of The Lawyer’s Daily.