Monday’s Mix

Each Monday we present brief excerpts of recent posts from five of Canada’s award-winning legal blogs chosen at random* from sixty recent Clawbie winners. In this way we hope to promote their work, with their permission, to as wide an audience as possible.

This week the randomly selected blogs are 1. First Reference  2. Slater Vecchio Connected  3. ABlawg.ca  4. Ontario Condo Law Blog  5. The Treasurer’s Blog

First Reference
Workplace religious accommodation: A two-part obligation under human rights
Under the Human Rights Code (Ontario), the duty to accommodate in the workplace is a two-part obligation. Employers who do not make at least a reasonable effort to comply with this obligation can find themselves having to pay a financial price. This was the reality in Qureshi v. G4S Security Services, 2009. . . .

Slater Vecchio Connected
Underage Drinking In Your Home
RCMP have confirmed that paramedics were called to Stephen Harper’s home at 24 Sussex Drive last Saturday, reportedly to aid an 18-year-old woman with suspected alcohol poisoning. A source said there was a party at the Prime Minister’s home to celebrate his son’s 18th birthday. The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19. Fortunately the young woman collected from the Harper residence is okay. But the story serves as a warning for parents and guardians to be careful about underage drinking in the home. Particularly as we approach high school grad season. . . .

ABlawg.ca
The AER’s Peace River Odours and Emissions Report and Response
Reports commented on: AER Report of Recommendations on Odours and Emissions in the Peace River Area, March 31, 2014, 2014 ABAER 005; AER Response, April 15, 2014. For a long time now residents in the Peace River area (Three Creeks, Reno and Seal Lake) have complained about hydrocarbon odours and emissions from oil sands / heavy oil developments in this part of the province. Some residents have complained of health effects and some have found conditions intolerable and have moved off their properties. Pressure to deal with this has grown and the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has responded by endorsing a comprehensive set of recommendations . . .

Ontario Condo Law Blog
Powers of attorney essential for condo unit owners
To encourage people to carefully consider and protect their families, assets and affairs, the Ontario Bar Association has made April its “Make a Power of Attorney Month.” A power of attorney (“POA”) is a legal document that gives someone else the right to act on a person’s behalf. These documents can be used to oversee personal care or to handle assets and property, and can be customized to suit the precise requirements of each person. . . .

The Treasurer’s Blog
Connecting traditions
I was privileged, earlier this week, to hold the two eagle feathers gifted to the Law Society while welcoming guests at a reception for the First Nation Jury Review Implementation Committee. For me, to hold the feathers was a great honour. I had an opportunity to meet with Elder Pauline Shirt, briefly, before the event started. She accepted my offer for her to hold the feathers as she spoke the opening prayer and a smudge was conducted by traditional drummer Thunder Jack. When she finished, she passed the feathers to me and invited me to hold them as I addressed the audience. . . .
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*Randomness here is created by Random.org and its list randomizing function.