{"title":"A Call to Action: Moving Forward with the Governance of Artificial Intelligence in Canada","authors":"A. Gaon, I. Stedman","doi":"10.29173/ALR2547","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29173/ALR2547","url":null,"abstract":"The Government of Canada has committed to accelerating the growth of the country’s world-class artificial intelligence (AI) sector. This emerging technology has the potential to impact nearly every segment of Canada’s economy, including national security, health care, and government services. To prepare for the key challenges and opportunities that AI will give rise to, we offer an innovative governance model for Canadian governments to adopt. This model recognizes the uncertainty ahead and prioritizes oversight and accountability while also encouraging a flexible policy-first approach. This approach fosters responsible AI innovation and supports Canada’s emergence as a leader in AI technology and governance.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42426465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Terrorist Speech under Bills C-51 and C-59 and the Othman Hamdan Case: The Continued Incoherence of Canada’s Approach","authors":"Kent Roach","doi":"10.2139/ssrn.3313660","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3313660","url":null,"abstract":"It is argued that neither the approach taken to terrorist speech in Bill C-51 nor Bill C-59 is satisfactory. A case study of the Othman Hamdan case, including his calls on the Internet for “lone wolves” “swiftly to activate,” is featured, along with the use of immigration law after his acquittal for counselling murder and other crimes. Hamdan’s acquittal suggests that the new Bill C-59 terrorist speech offence and take-down powers based on counselling terrorism offences without specifying a particular terrorism offence may not reach Hamdan’s Internet postings. One coherent response would be to repeal terrorist speech offences while making greater use of court-ordered take-downs of speech on the Internet and programs to counter violent extremism. Another coherent response would be to criminalize the promotion and advocacy of terrorist activities (as opposed to terrorist offences in general in Bill C-51 or terrorism offences without identifying a specific terrorist offence in Bill C-59) and provide for defences designed to protect fundamental freedoms such as those under section 319(3) of the Criminal Code that apply to hate speech. Unfortunately, neither Bill C-51 nor Bill C-59 pursues either of these options. The result is that speech such as Hamdan’s will continue to be subject to the vagaries of take-downs by social media companies and immigration law.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2019-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47121594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shana Wolch, J. Lindner, Dan Demers, Ben Ratelband
{"title":"Keep Calm and ... Understand Cannibis: What Employers in the Energy Sector Want to Know About Legalized Cannabis in the Workplace","authors":"Shana Wolch, J. Lindner, Dan Demers, Ben Ratelband","doi":"10.29173/ALR2507","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29173/ALR2507","url":null,"abstract":"With the recent legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, employers, particularly those with safety sensitive operations, are forced to evaluate the impact that cannabis will have on their workplaces. This article argues that the law has not yet fully evolved with the advances in scientific understanding of the effects of cannabis or the advances in the technology for testing methodologies. The article explores the current legal framework for workplace drug testing and provides best practices regarding drug testing programs and related workplace policies. It cautions that unless carefully designed, these policies may be found to be contrary to human rights or privacy legislation, or, in the case of unionized employers, unreasonable and outside the scope of the collective agreement.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42866722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul M. Lalonde, Yohai Baisburd, Joaquin Contreras, J. Jiménez, Vedia Biton Eidelman
{"title":"Continental Energy Trade: What to Expect From NAFTA 2.0","authors":"Paul M. Lalonde, Yohai Baisburd, Joaquin Contreras, J. Jiménez, Vedia Biton Eidelman","doi":"10.29173/ALR2505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29173/ALR2505","url":null,"abstract":"The implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 significantly impacted the North American energy market via the provisions of Chapter 6. The original agreement with respect to Chapter 6 included three important principles: (1) a full respect for the constitutional restrictions of each party; (2) the need to strengthen and increase trade of energy products and services through gradual and sustained liberalization; and (3) the need to create competitive energy sectors. This article examines whether NAFTA continues to serve the interests of the three signatory states and whether potential changes are necessary or would be beneficial. In addition, the authors take an in-depth look at the energy markets of each North American country on an individualized basis. In particular, the authors examine the respective energy industry backgrounds, legal frameworks for natural resource regulation, and trends in the energy markets for Canada, Mexico, and the United States.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41532541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carolyn Milne, Vivek Warrier, Dierdre Sheehan, Blake Williams
{"title":"Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments of Interest to Energy Practitioners","authors":"Carolyn Milne, Vivek Warrier, Dierdre Sheehan, Blake Williams","doi":"10.29173/ALR2512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29173/ALR2512","url":null,"abstract":"This article provides an overview of recent regulatory and legislative developments from May 2017 to April 2018 of interest to energy lawyers. This includes the legal, political, and economic background to, and consequences of, new legislation and regulatory regimes. Also included are discussions of recent and ongoing judicial and regulatory decisions involving energy law. Topics discussed include market access and pipeline matters, climate change regulation, impact assessment changes, Aboriginal consultation, and abandonment liability.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47331657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prudence, Stranded Assets, and the Regulation of Utilities: A Review of Alberta Utility Regulatory Principles in a Post-Stores Block Era","authors":"Lou Cusano, D. M. Wood, E. Dickinson, G. Bruni","doi":"10.29173/ALR2509","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29173/ALR2509","url":null,"abstract":"Stores Block, a 2006 Supreme Court of Canada case, established that utilities are the sole owners of utility assets, thereby granting them the right to gain on the disposition of such assets. The case was game-changing, spawning a string of Alberta Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Canada, and regulatory body decisions. This article traces the progression of these decisions and examines their implications for property ownership principles, including utility asset dispositions, utility rate bases, the prudent investment test, and stranded assets. The authors ultimately argue that these interpretations of Stores Block have led to “deleterious effects” for regulated utilities in Alberta, and discuss resulting attempts at legislative intervention by the Government of Alberta.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44682957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael A. Marion, Miles Pittman, Leanne Desbarats, Blair McGeough
{"title":"Sober Second Thoughts: Litigating Purchase and Sale Agreements in the Energy Industry","authors":"Michael A. Marion, Miles Pittman, Leanne Desbarats, Blair McGeough","doi":"10.29173/ALR2510","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29173/ALR2510","url":null,"abstract":"This article explores common legal issues that arise in the purchase and sale of energy assets. Legal disputes are frequent because of the complex nature of these transactions. The authors begin by discussing the ambiguities in purchase and sale agreements, and how the courts interpret them. Second, the authors analyze the types of disputes that can arise prior to closing that can compromise or frustrate the finalization of the sale. Third, post-closing disputes relating to the subject-matter of transactions, breaches of representations and warranties, and the mechanics of indemnities are considered. Finally, the authors close by examining other issues which may impact the ability of a party to bring a claim.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41710795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Waste Not, Want Not: \"Waste\" as a Tool of Resource Conservation in the Atlantic Canadian Offshore","authors":"G. Moores, M. Andrews, A. Whitehead","doi":"10.29173/ALR2506","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29173/ALR2506","url":null,"abstract":"As the Atlantic Canadian oil and gas industry continues to mature, offshore regulators face new and varied issues as they work to implement the objectives of the Atlantic Accords. Laws that were largely developed before the Atlantic Canadian offshore contained producing projects are now being applied to a diverse and evolving industry. As is often the case, laws, as expressed on paper, can prove difficult to apply to each unique set of circumstances that arises in practice.Fundamentally, many of the powers of the Atlantic Canadian offshore regulators rely on the concept of “waste.” An offshore regulator can order a company to commence, continue, or increase production of petroleum where it is of the opinion that such an order “would stop waste.” Conversely, the regulators may order a decrease, cessation, or suspension of the production of petroleum for the same reason. In certain situations of “waste,” the Accord Acts provide for a “forced marriage” via compulsory unitization.While “waste” is instrumental to the authority of the offshore regulators, by necessity its definition is open to some interpretation. This article will explore various interpretations of “waste,” and examine the role of waste in the Atlantic Canadian offshore regimes.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45210151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent Judicial Decisions of Interest to Energy Lawyers","authors":"O. Dixon, C. Feasby, J. Lee","doi":"10.29173/ALR2511","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29173/ALR2511","url":null,"abstract":"This article summarizes a number of recent judicial decisions of interest to energy lawyers. The authors review and comment on the past year’s case law in several areas including contractual interpretation, employment and labour law, Aboriginal law, constitutional law, intellectual property, bankruptcy and insolvency, and selected developments relating to summary judgments. Specific topics addressed include the appropriate standard of review, workplace drug and alcohol testing policies, appellate intervention in commercial arbitration, the appropriateness of granting summary judgments, valuation of dissenting shareholders’ shares, a duty to consult, the applicability of municipal bylaws when they conflict with federal legislation, and the rights and obligations of oil and gas companies placed into receivership. For each case, some background information is given, followed by a brief explanation of the facts, a summary of the decision, and commentary on the outcome.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47394101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Gordon, Howard A. Gorman, Q.C., G. Benediktsson
{"title":"May You Litigate in Interesting Times: Specific Performance, Mitigation, and Valuation Issues in a Rising (or Falling) Market","authors":"S. Gordon, Howard A. Gorman, Q.C., G. Benediktsson","doi":"10.29173/ALR2508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29173/ALR2508","url":null,"abstract":"This article provides practical insight and strategic guidance regarding how to properly structure the prosecution or defence of a claim in a rising and falling market, and what expert and fact evidence is necessary. First, the article discusses the threshold required to be awarded specific performance and how courts have interpreted Semelhago’s “uniqueness” test, especially in the context of property purchased for commercial investment purposes. Next, if specific performance is not awarded, the valuation date must be chosen. The authors propose a new “hybrid approach” for assessing damages whereby the loss based on actual cash follow up to the date of trial is measured (and a risk adjustment applied to reflect that revenues are never earned risk-free). The net present value of remaining cash flow is then calculated on the basis of the most recent data available at the date of trial. The proposed hybrid approach allows the plaintiff to receive the value of land less the cost to acquire it, plus in every claim month the plaintiff receives the cash it would have earned, but also assumes the risk of operating the land as of that time. Finally, in considering Southcott the authors address some strategic and practical considerations regarding mitigation and the needed evidentiary burden to consider.","PeriodicalId":54047,"journal":{"name":"ALBERTA LAW REVIEW","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2018-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41822439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}