On July 5, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (“MCK”) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Health Canada (“MOU”) which allows MCK to establish its own laws and regulations regarding the production and sale of cannabis within their territory – the full statement is available here. The Kahnawà:ke First Nation is located on… Read more »
+ Read MoreTaking the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act into our own hands BC’s DRIPA implementation is falling short Since the ceremonial passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (“DRIPA”) in November 2019, we have been closely tracking the provincial government’s progress in meeting its obligations under the new legislation…. Read more »
+ Read MoreWith vaccination rates steadily rising across Canada and employers contemplating reopening their workplaces, we are starting to see certain questions come up more and more. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions that have come up with our clients. You can also download this FAQ sheet here. Q: Can I make vaccinations mandatory for… Read more »
+ Read MoreOver the past several months, the B.C. Government has introduced several changes to the Employment Standards Act (“ESA”). As recent as May 20, 2021, new amendments have come into force that now provide employees up to three days paid sick leave for COVID-19 related absences. Employers and employees should beware, however, that not all COVID-19… Read more »
+ Read MoreOn May 11, 2021, the BC Government announced that it plans to provide up to three days of paid sick leave to workers forced to miss work due to COVID-19. Employees who are diagnosed with COVID-19, who need time off to self-isolate and those who are awaiting a COVID-19 test result, will all qualify for… Read more »
+ Read MoreApril 23, 2021 marked a triumph for Aboriginal-rights holders at the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”). In its decisions in R. v. Desautel, 2021 SCC 17 (“Desautel”),the SCC clarified the scope of the application of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 (“Section 35”) and took a purposeful step away from colonial constraints on the… Read more »
+ Read More“The Code does not protect people who refuse to wear a mask as a matter of personal preference, because they believe wearing a mask is “pointless”, or because they disagree that wearing masks helps to protect the public during the pandemic”[1], which the BC Human Rights Tribunal (“BCHRT”) has firmly stated in two recent screening… Read more »
+ Read MoreApril 29, 2021 update: On April 27, 2021, this amendment officially passed into law. BC workers are now entitled to this paid vaccination leave retroactive to April 19, 2021. On April 19, 2021, the BC Government announced its intention to amend the Employment Standards Act to provide workers with up to three hours of paid… Read more »
+ Read MoreIntroduction Earlier this year, the Magpie River in Quebec (Muteshekau-shipu in the Innu language) was granted legal personhood by the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit and the Minganie Regional County Municipality (“Minganie RCM”). The idea of granting legal personhood to environmental resources in Canada could be a valuable tool for Indigenous communities to control environmental protection… Read more »
+ Read MoreAggravated and punitive damages are reserved by the courts for exceptional circumstances. In December 2020, the BC Supreme Court found that twenty-six-year-old Carly Fobert’s experience when she was dismissed from her employment at MCRCI Medicinal Cannabis Resource Centre Inc. (“MCRCI”) was one such exceptional circumstance. Ms. Fobert’s case (full decision here) also tackles other important employment… Read more »
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