32 min

Online Harms Act Analysis, Desmond Acquittal, Emergencies Act Delay, 'Rust' Conviction, Jail Class Action, US Supreme Court Ballot Ruling, Magic Mushrooms License, QC Roadside Stops Appeal The Rodgers Brief

    • News Commentary

As we get into March Break, there are some important legal stories to cover. This week, I start with some celebrity legal news from the US - the armorer on the set of the Alec Baldwin movie, Rust, has been convicted by a jury of mishandling the ammunition that lead to the death of the cinemetographer of that movie. There was controversy in the Iditarod, when a moose encounter lead to a two hour penalty to one of the top drivers. Also, the US Supreme Court has ruled that former President Trump cannot be barred from being on the ballot by individual States.
The big Canadian legal news this week was the introduction of the Online Harms Act, the latest attempt by this government to regulate the internet. This legislation has some good elements when it comes to child protection, but goes too far in creating a new bureaucracy to monitor online speech.
I also review the news that the government has not made changes to the Emergencies Act, as recommended by the Rouleau Commission Report.
In Nova Scotia legal news, Cassandra Desmond has been found not guilty of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in an incident that took place on the fifth anniversary of the Desmond family tragedy. There was video of the entire incident, which Justice Hoskins said clearly showed Ms. Desmond was acting defensively the entire time. She should never have been charged.
There is a class action coming regarding jail lockdowns in NS, which seems likely to be certified.
Finally, there are two developing areas of law that emerged this week. One is a magic mushroom dispensary in Vancouver which has been granted a license to operate. This is similar to how cannabis legalization began to take root. Also, in Quebec, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association is helping on an appeal regarding suspicionless police stops ... which happen every day all over Canada, but which are also at risk of engendering racial profiling.

As we get into March Break, there are some important legal stories to cover. This week, I start with some celebrity legal news from the US - the armorer on the set of the Alec Baldwin movie, Rust, has been convicted by a jury of mishandling the ammunition that lead to the death of the cinemetographer of that movie. There was controversy in the Iditarod, when a moose encounter lead to a two hour penalty to one of the top drivers. Also, the US Supreme Court has ruled that former President Trump cannot be barred from being on the ballot by individual States.
The big Canadian legal news this week was the introduction of the Online Harms Act, the latest attempt by this government to regulate the internet. This legislation has some good elements when it comes to child protection, but goes too far in creating a new bureaucracy to monitor online speech.
I also review the news that the government has not made changes to the Emergencies Act, as recommended by the Rouleau Commission Report.
In Nova Scotia legal news, Cassandra Desmond has been found not guilty of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in an incident that took place on the fifth anniversary of the Desmond family tragedy. There was video of the entire incident, which Justice Hoskins said clearly showed Ms. Desmond was acting defensively the entire time. She should never have been charged.
There is a class action coming regarding jail lockdowns in NS, which seems likely to be certified.
Finally, there are two developing areas of law that emerged this week. One is a magic mushroom dispensary in Vancouver which has been granted a license to operate. This is similar to how cannabis legalization began to take root. Also, in Quebec, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association is helping on an appeal regarding suspicionless police stops ... which happen every day all over Canada, but which are also at risk of engendering racial profiling.

32 min