Constitutional
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April 11, 2025
McGill faces proposed class action over alleged failure to address campus antisemitism
McGill University is facing a proposed class action over allegations that it failed to protect its Jewish students from discrimination and harassment during campus protests related to the conflict in Gaza.
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April 11, 2025
Quebec bolsters secularism rules as Supreme Court hears challenge to controversial law
Barely two months after the Supreme Court of Canada agreed to hear a challenge to Quebec’s controversial secularism law, widely known as Bill 21, the Quebec government tabled a contentious bill that will tighten secularism rules, extending the province’s ban on the wearing of religious symbols to support staff, including volunteers, in schools.
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April 11, 2025
David Nurse appointed Nova Scotia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer
Lawyer David Nurse has been appointed as Nova Scotia’s new Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Review Officer.
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April 10, 2025
Ontario court rules virtual access not required under open court principle
The Ontario Superior Court has ruled that denying virtual access to court proceedings does not violate the open court principle, clarifying that the principle does not guarantee the public’s right to be present in the courtroom.
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April 10, 2025
Constitutional clash brewing as Ottawa targets immigration bar with up to $1.5 million in admin penalties
Bar organizations are warning Ottawa that a new administrative monetary penalty regime to be applied to legal professionals — featuring penalties of up to $1.5 million for immigration and refugee lawyers determined by federal officials to have participated in clients’ misrepresentations — will be constitutionally challenged if lawyers are not exempted from the proposed regulations, which are expected to come into force later this year.
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April 10, 2025
‘Constitution does not fade from view in times of crisis,’ Ontario Appeal Court says in COVID-19 case
A former Ontario legislator has emerged victorious in his constitutional challenge of COVID-era gathering limits, with his lawyer saying the ruling will set the standard for jurisprudence on freedom of assembly issues in Canada.
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April 09, 2025
B.C. Court of Appeal overturns $10-million ruling against B.C. over misfeasance in public office
The B.C. Court of Appeal has overturned a $10-million damages award against the province for misfeasance in public office, ruling that misconduct by government officials did not cause the financial losses claimed by the plaintiff.
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April 09, 2025
Ontario proposes expansion of strong-mayor powers to 169 more municipalities
Ontario has announced it is proposing to expand strong-mayor powers to 169 additional municipalities’ heads of council as of May 1. The province said this will help deliver on provincial priorities, including building homes, transit and other infrastructure.
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April 09, 2025
New $1 coin marks the creation of the Supreme Court of Canada 150 years ago
The Supreme Court of Canada marked a milestone birthday on April 8, 2025, 150 years after it came into existence on April 8, 1875, when the Supreme and Exchequer Courts Act received royal assent. The composition, powers and importance of the world’s only bilingual and bijural apex court have evolved considerably since the court first sat in 1876, after the original six-judge bench was appointed.
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April 07, 2025
Antisemitic incidents in Canada reached a record high in 2024, reports B’nai B’rith
B’nai B’rith Canada is reporting that incidents of antisemitism in Canada reached their highest level in 2024 since the Toronto-based Jewish service and advocacy organization began tracking such events in 1982.