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Full-Text Articles in Law
Is The Pearson Airport Legislation Unconstitutional?: The Rule Of Law As A Limit On Contract Repudiation By Government, Patrick J. Monahan
Is The Pearson Airport Legislation Unconstitutional?: The Rule Of Law As A Limit On Contract Repudiation By Government, Patrick J. Monahan
Osgoode Hall Law Journal
It has long been assumed that Parliament has unlimited power to enact legislation cancelling valid contracts and denying compensation to any persons affected. This paper challenges that conventional wisdom. The author argues that the principle of the rule of law requires that governments be accountable in the ordinary courts for wrongful actions of government officials. This principle is undermined if government is absolved from any liability for breach of a fairly bargained and valid contract. Thus, legislation purporting to abrogate contracts and deny compensation is invalid, since it violates the implied limits on legislative authority associated with the rule of …
Second Chances: Bill C-72 And The Charter, Isabel Grant
Second Chances: Bill C-72 And The Charter, Isabel Grant
Osgoode Hall Law Journal
This paper examines the legislative response to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in R. v. Daviault. The author argues that Bill C-72, which limits the defence of extreme intoxication, is constitutional because of its strong underpinnings in equality. The author reviews the statistics on violence against women and the role of intoxication in that violence to illustrate why the defence of intoxication raises issues of sex equality. The author argues that a court assessing the constitutionality of Bill C-72 should consider this strong foundation in equality and the fact that the Bill is the result of a careful balancing …
The Law And Politics Of Quebec Secession, Patrick J. Monahan
The Law And Politics Of Quebec Secession, Patrick J. Monahan
Osgoode Hall Law Journal
This paper considers the various legal issues that would arise in the context of Quebec's secession from Canada, and attempts to situate these issues politically. The author argues that, under the current constitutional amending formula, Quebec secession would require the support of the federal Parliament as well as the unanimous consent of the provinces; he also suggests that it is extremely unlikely that this level of support would be attained. The paper goes on to explore the possibility of Quebec seceding from Canada through a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI), suggesting that the success or failure of a UDI would …
Standing In Charter Declaratory Actions, June M. Ross
Standing In Charter Declaratory Actions, June M. Ross
Osgoode Hall Law Journal
Standing rules applicable to Charter declaratory actions are examined. It is argued that, in Charter cases, Supreme Court has taken a restrictive approach to public interest standing that is inconsistent with prior case law and does not forward the purposes of standing law. Alternative forms of standing are also examined. The use of the traditional form of private standing has been severely and, it is suggested, unnecessarily restricted in Charter actions. However, there is a potential for a new form of private standing in the "section 24" plaintiff. The implications of both of these developments are considered.