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Administrative Law

  • Image: "DSC09478" by dgrinbergs is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
She has been called Canada’s Erin Brockovich.  Erin Brockovich, of course, was the single mother whose crusade for justice was depicted in the movie bearing her name, staring Julia Roberts. Ms. Brockovich was a law clerk. Without formal legal training, she put...

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In March, 2020, as fears mounted over covid-19, the Supreme Court of British Columbia and British Columbia Court of Appeal suspended their regular operations. I expressed concern at the time with courthouses closing at a time when they are needed more...

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The BC Human Rights Tribunal recently awarded its highest injury to dignity award yet. The recipient was an employee who experienced race-related discrimination at work. The case was heard in two stages. First, the Tribunal decided if discrimination had occurred.  In July,...

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  • "Tommy Douglas - Keeping an eye on Parliament" by Jamie McCaffrey is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
One of the institutions we treasure most as Canadians is our national health care system. Under the Canada Health Act (CHA), all "insured persons" are entitled to receive "insured health services" without charge.     “Insured health services” means hospital services, physician services and...

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  • Image: "Injured Piggy Bank With Crutches" by kenteegardin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” -- Upton Sinclair Last week, this column discussed how the B.C. Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB or Board) uses key performance indicators to...

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  • Image: "Statement by the chief coroner" by BC Gov Photos is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The B.C. Workers Compensation Board’s (WCB or the Board) website and annual reports contain no images of anyone injured. This is consistent with how the Board currently administers claims. The October, 2019 report to B.C.’s Minister of Labour, New Directions Report of...

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  • Image: "#selfcare_in_september day 15: 10 good things about my body. ☆ ☆ This was a huge struggle. If you're friends with me on Facebook you saw my post about my spinal injury. It's flared up recently or I've reinjured myself and am in constant agony. ☆ ☆ When yo" by Katje van Loon is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
If in the past 18 years you or someone you know has suffered a serious injury at work, you will know what it is like to encounter British Columbia’s Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB or the Board). B.C.’s workers compensation system is...

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  • Image: "Never Give In !" by Neil. Moralee is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
In 2002, the provincial government amended the Workers’ Compensation Act. The amendments made it more difficult for injured workers to receive compensation for their workplace injuries. Earlier this year, B.C.’s Workers Compensation Act was amended. Significantly, a legislative provision which had attempted...

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  • Image: "hornby st" by Beach650 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Lately, there is a dichotomy within B.C.’s justice system. As a result of concerns over COVID-19, B.C. courts have largely shut down, allowing only “urgent and essential matters” to proceed. This is a topic unto itself. Though efforts are certainly being made...

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Alberta’s government recently enacted substantial amendments to Alberta’s Employment Standards Code (ESC), through the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, 2020.   The stated purpose was to “save employers time and money.” Section 63 of the ESC now deems layoffs over 90...

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