Category: Supreme Court of Canada

In Free Speech Case, Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Quebec Comedian Who Mocked Disabled Singer

Canada’s top court has ruled that a comedian who joked about a teen singer who is disabled did not meet the criteria for discrimination under Quebec’s charter of human rights. Between September 2010 and March 2013, standup comedian Mike Ward, in his show “Mike Ward S’Exposé,” made fun of a number of prominent figures in…


Canada’s Top Court to Rule on Ontario’s Move to Slash Toronto City Council

TORONTO—Canada’s top court is expected to rule Friday on whether Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision to slash the size of Toronto’s city council during the last municipal election was constitutional. The Supreme Court of Canada decision is set to be delivered roughly a year before Ontario’s next municipal vote. The 2018 municipal campaign was well…


Supreme Court Won’t Hear Bail Appeal From Fashion Mogul Peter Nygard

OTTAWA—The Supreme Court of Canada won’t hear a bail appeal from a Canadian fashion mogul who is facing trafficking and racketeering charges in the United States. Peter Nygard applied earlier this year to the country’s highest court for permission to challenge a Manitoba ruling that denied him release while he awaits possible extradition. His lawyers…


Supreme Court of Canada to Rule on Bail Request From Fashion Mogul Peter Nygard

OTTAWA—The Supreme Court of Canada is expected to deliver a ruling today on whether a Canadian fashion mogul who faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges in the United States will stay behind bars. Peter Nygard applied earlier this year to the country’s highest court for permission to challenge a Manitoba ruling that denied him bail….


Bilingualism Requirement for Supreme Court Judges Decried as Favouring French

Ottawa’s move to make bilingualism a requirement to sit on the Supreme Court of Canada has sparked criticism from diversity advocates who fear it will exclude qualified candidates who don’t speak both French and English. Some are also concerned that it will limit the talent pool and lead to bias in the judicial system. In…


Supreme Court’s Carbon Tax Decision Echoes History, Says Prof

The Supreme Court of Canada’s recent carbon tax ruling harks back to 1973 when then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau reinforced the use of the SCC to strengthen Ottawa’s grip, says Ted Morton, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Calgary. In the 2020 book he co-edited, “Moment of Truth: How to Think About Alberta’s…


Climate Change Reality Check

Commentary I have problems with the foundational assumptions for the recent ruling on the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act from the Supreme Court of Canada. Chief Justice Richard Wagner said this in his decision: “There is also a broad consensus among expert international bodies that carbon pricing is a critical measure for the reduction of…


Supreme Extremism Will Leave Canadians Hurting

Commentary The Supreme Court of Canada ruled March 25 that the federal government is fully within its jurisdiction to impose a carbon tax on provinces, even if the duly elected governments of those provinces oppose the imposition of such a tax. Their rationale? The wisdom of Greta Thunberg. Judges aren’t scientists. They aren’t climate experts….


Supreme Court of Canada to Review Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Armed Robbery

OTTAWA—The Supreme Court of Canada will examine minimum sentences for armed robbery, the second case involving mandatory firearms penalties the top court has recently agreed to hear. The latest decision flows from two matters that were considered together by Alberta’s Court of Appeal following convictions. In the first case, Ocean Hilbach pleaded guilty to a…


Men Convicted in via Rail Terror Case Received Fair Trial, Supreme

OTTAWA—The Supreme Court of Canada says two men convicted of terrorism offences received a fair trial even though the judge made errors in assembling the jury. The top court explained its reasoning today for ruling last October there would be no new trial for Raed Jaser and Chiheb Esseghaier. The men were found guilty in…