Author: Alistair Vigier
Cyberbullying isn’t just some abstract internet issue—it’s ruining lives. In Nova Scotia, families who lost children to online harassment are demanding tougher laws, arguing that the current system lets bullies walk away without consequences. And they’re not wrong. If someone can openly mock a grieving family and still avoid any legal repercussions, what does that say about the law? A Tragic Wake-Up Call for Nova Scotia Pam Murchison knows this nightmare all too well. Her daughter, Jenna Bowers, was relentlessly bullied—both at school and online. In January 2011, at just 15 years old, Jenna took her own life. And if…
If you followed the Cindy Gladue Death case, you know it’s more than just a legal battle. It’s a gut-wrenching example of how the justice system treats Indigenous women in Canada. Warning: This story contains graphic content Cindy Gladue was a 36-year-old mother of three. In June 2011, she was found dead in an Edmonton hotel room, having bled out from an 11-centimeter wound to her vagina. The man responsible is a truck driver named Bradley Barton. He walked free in 2015 after a jury acquitted him of murder, setting off protests across the country. Fast forward through years of…
The Supreme Court of Canada has ordered a retrial in the case of Cindy Gladue, the woman found in a tub in an Edmonton motel room back in 2011. But instead of facing another first-degree murder trial, Bradley Barton, the Ontario truck driver who admitted to hiring her for sex, will only be retried for manslaughter. Warning: This story contains graphic content For those who haven’t followed this case closely, let’s break it down. Gladue was a 36-year-old Métis mother who bled to death from an 11 cm wound inside her vaginal wall. Barton said it was an accident caused…
If you’ve ever dealt with a complex medical issue—either personally or as a caregiver—you already know how much hinges on getting an honest, unbiased medical opinion. A strong case, whether for treatment decisions, second opinions, or even legal matters, relies on medical assessments that are rooted in facts, not guesswork or personal bias. The Problem With Biased or Superficial Medical Opinions One of the biggest frustrations people face is getting conflicting diagnoses or treatment recommendations that feel more like opinions than facts. I’ve seen cases where one doctor dismisses symptoms as “stress-related” while another finds a serious underlying condition. This…
The Ghomeshi scandal rocked the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the entire country, leaving many shocked and emotional. The scandal involved allegations of sexual misconduct by Jian Ghomeshi, a well-known and highly respected CBC radio personality. In October 2014, several women came forward and accused Ghomeshi of sexual assault and harassment, which quickly became one of the biggest news stories in Canada. The allegations were serious and numerous, with at least nine women coming forward to claim that Ghomeshi had assaulted them. From groping to hitting and choking, the allegations were harrowing. Ghomeshi denied the allegations, insisting that all his sexual…
Have you ever tried to read a court ruling and felt like you were decoding an ancient manuscript? You’re not alone. Legal writing is notorious for being dense, overly complex, and filled with words no normal person uses in real life. Why don’t judges write in simple language? But here’s what’s even wilder: every time a judge dares to write in simple language, it’s treated as a radical act. It’s baffling. The entire legal system exists to serve the public. However, when judges write in a way the public can understand, half the legal community acts like the sky is…
Lawyer Christopher Hicks said it’s okay to ask for ID in Canada, but you can’t search without cause. Let’s clear up some confusion around the issue of asking for ID and conducting searches in Canada—a topic that tends to come up frequently in discussions about legal rights. Lawyer Christopher Hicks has weighed in on this, and his take sheds some light on what’s allowed under Canadian law. When it comes to asking for ID, the answer is straightforward: yes, it’s generally okay to ask someone for their identification. But here’s where things get nuanced. The ability to request ID doesn’t…
Family law touches some of people’s most sensitive and critical areas—divorce, child custody, support obligations, and property division. It’s not just about paperwork or court rulings; it’s about people navigating life-altering changes. In Canada, the family law system has been undergoing reform for years, but the question remains: is it enough to ensure fair access to justice for everyone involved? The Status Quo: A Broken System? Let’s face it—family law in Canada isn’t working for everyone. Talk to anyone who’s been through a custody battle, and you’ll hear the same frustrations: it’s slow, expensive, and emotionally draining. The court process…
Employee rights are a hot topic right now, especially in relation to quitting vs being fired. The global pandemic and the changing tides of the economy have created what many have termed the “Great Resignation”. Greater work flexibility and a more favourable labour market have combined to create a perfect storm for those looking to explore their options. In an environment with plenty of available jobs and positions less anchored by geographic location, conditions are tending to favour the employee. But, if you are considering quitting your job, it’s important to know what your rights are as a worker in…
In Canada and the United States, federal criminal laws don’t generally restrict or prohibit people from sleeping in their cars, nor do state or provincial laws since parking regulations and rules are left to cities and municipal governments to enact and enforce. If you stop your car in a no-parking zone on a city street to take a snooze, you could find yourself in some trouble. In many cities in Canada, for instance, even streets without signs spelling out parking regulations have a three-hour time limit for non-residents. This means that if a neighbour spots you sleeping in your car…