July 28, 2020
In a recent decision, the Superior Court of Quebec addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the contractual obligations of parties to a commercial lease. This decision is likely the first of many to address this increasingly pervasive issue for businesses operating in Quebec.
July 23, 2020
The forced hiatus in business activity and the economic shock caused by COVID-19 have hit many Quebec business owners hard. The impact is especially heavy for owners saddled with the burden of succession planning and finding no one to take over the reins. Currently, 30 to 60,000 Quebec businesses are in danger of disappearing within five years due to a lack of suitable successors.
July 22, 2020
In a contentious 5-4 split decision, with 3 justices providing the main reasons, 2 justices concurring and 4 judges dissenting, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the Parliament of Canada has the power to prohibit genetic discrimination. Specifically, Justice Karakatsanis found that the purpose of the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act is to ensure that individuals’ genetic test results will not be used against them and to prevent any form of discrimination based on that information. This, according to the Court, falls squarely within Parliament’s criminal law powers under s. 91(27) of the Constitution Act of 1867 because it responds to a threat of harm to several overlapping public interests protected by the criminal law – autonomy, privacy, equality and public health.
