Business
-
December 20, 2024
Trudeau unveils new cabinet with strong legal background as NDP threatens confidence vote
With his faltering government facing a non-confidence motion as early as Jan. 27, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has introduced eight new cabinet ministers whose tenure may last only weeks.
-
December 20, 2024
Proposed settlements of over $3.3M reached in alleged electronic ‘cartel’ class actions
Two proposed Canada-wide settlements have been reached in proposed class actions relating to the alleged price fixing of linear resistors. The settlements are in the amounts of $3.3 million and $90,000.
-
December 20, 2024
Nova Scotia court certifies class action against Northwood care facilities over COVID-19 deaths
The Nova Scotia Supreme Court has certified a class action against Northwood Group concerning allegations that the Halifax-area elder care provider’s failure to adhere to existing protocols to prevent infections in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the deaths of 53 residents at its facilities.
-
December 19, 2024
Saskatchewan Court of Appeal rules thumbs up emoji was valid signature in contract dispute
A thumbs up emoji sent through a text message is sufficient to satisfy the signature requirement for a contract under the Sale of Goods Act (SGA) under certain circumstances, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has held.
-
December 19, 2024
Federal government reports Canada’s GHG emissions have hit a 27-year low
Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault says a decline in Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions to a 27-year low is proof the government’s climate change plan is working and underlines the need for its proposed cap on emissions from the oil and gas industry.
-
December 19, 2024
Mortgage relief measures saved Canadians $4 million in penalties, says Financial Consumer Agency
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has published a report saying that Canadians with mortgages from federally regulated financial institutions (FRFIs) have benefited from more than 8,000 mortgage relief measures in the 12 months to June of this year.
-
December 19, 2024
Federal Court of Appeal orders reconsideration of maternity leave discrimination complaint
The Federal Court of Appeal has ordered reconsideration of an unjust dismissal complaint by an employee who was laid off after returning from maternity leave, finding that the adjudicator had not addressed key issues raised by the employee.
-
December 19, 2024
Supreme Court of Canada upholds constitutionality of multi-Crown class actions
The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld the constitutionality of British Columbia’s legislation enacted to permit the B.C. Crown to act as the representative plaintiff in a class action on behalf of a class of governments and government agencies in Canada. While this ruling was specific to B.C.’s Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act (ORA), it stands as an endorsement of multi-Crown class actions generally (Sanis Health Inc. v. British Columbia, 2024 SCC 40).
-
December 19, 2024
Review by federal procurement ombud finds systemic issues in 17 departments
The Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) has published a report on the results of procurement practice reviews conducted between 2018 and 2023, saying the examinations revealed systemic issues with procurement across 17 federal departments.
-
December 19, 2024
Cumberland v. Maritime College: Lessons in termination law and damages introduction
Roderick Cumberland, a long-serving (with approximately seven years’ tenure) academic instructor at the Maritime College of Forest Technology, faced significant challenges at work. His strict methods, differing opinions and conflicts with staff and students culminated in his termination for cause. The trial court found that Cumberland’s actions indeed reflected the issues raised by his employer. However, both the trial and appellate courts held there was no cause for termination due to the lack of progressive discipline.