How are courts to deal with instances where solicitor-client privilege and the right to full answer and defence – both principles of fundamental justice, protected under section 7 of the Charter – come into conflict? More specifically, can solicitor-client privilege between the Crown and police be abrogated in a criminal proceeding, so that the accused […]
The Supreme Court of British Columbia (“BCSC”) recently released the long-awaited ruling in Abbotsford v Shantz, 2015 BCSC 1909 [Abbotsford]. Abbotsford heard both the action by the City of Abbotsford (“the City”) and the action by BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors (“DWS”). The City sought a permanent injunction against the erection of shelters in […]
In R v Michaud, 2015 ONCA 585 [Michaud], the Court of Appeal for Ontario (“ONCA”) reluctantly followed the precedent set in Canada v Bedford, [2013] 3 SCR 1101 [Bedford]. Justice Lauwers of the ONCA found that a highway speed regulation did infringe section 7 of the Charter, but found it to be justified under section […]
This is the second part of a three-part series discussing the Supreme Court of Canada’s paramount decision in Carter v Canada (Attorney General). Part I has addressed the notion that stare decisis is not a straitjacket that condemns the law to stasis. Part II will address the changes that the Carter decision will have on […]