Blacklock's Reporter

Poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday: “This company offers bankruptcy protection services. They will review your situation, sell your assets – you may be able to keep your house…”

A cabinet bid to save drug patents threatened by a Federal Court ruling is evidence Canada is stuck with a costly and time-wasting intellectual property regime, says a legal analyst. Cabinet proposes to revive 2006-era rules after federal judges narrowed the scope of patents: 'Scrap the whole thing and start over'.

Federal regulators have the right to cancel licenses for oil and gas companies that fail to meet the terms of permits won at auction, judges have ruled. The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in the case, once hailed as evidence of a Maritime oil boom: 'Thank you for choosing Nova Scotia'.

Harsh RCMP “gossip” that cost a policeman his promotion is beyond a judge’s scrutiny, the Federal Court of Appeal has ruled. The finding ends a two-year lawsuit that saw RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson earlier cited for unfair treatment of a 25-year employee over unproven allegations of wrongdoing: "Harshness is beside the point".

Playing softball on the Plains of Abraham is no longer a federal crime. Cabinet further clarified new regulations that also decriminalized graffiti, skinny dipping and rollerblading at the site of the famed 1759 battle: "It is mostly dogs that are the problem".

Bill C-377 faces expected legal challenges after the Senate on a 35 to 22 vote passed the measure compelling all unions to disclose confidential records. Even supporters of the bill said they anticipated the bill’s fate now rests with the courts: 'Judges will decide if we were right or wrong'.

The Canada Border Services Agency should have independent oversight, says a Senate committee. Lawmakers also proposed an independent panel to review public complaints at the Agency, echoing a private bill sponsored by a Liberal senator: "This is now quite a very large police enterprise".

Gangs account for only a small fraction of overall crime but a disproportionate number of violent offences, says confidential research by Public Safety Canada. In a report released through Access To Information, the department concluded organized crime remains largely confined to specific cities and certain “ethnic” groups: "Little research has been conducted".

New regulations granting an oil licensing board the right to conduct environmental assessments is drawing protest. Rules will see the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board manage risk assessments on oil and gas drilling; the same board grants exploration licenses: "There is a question of conflict".

The Senate is preparing for final votes on Bill C-377 on warnings it will be left to the Supreme Court to decide if unions can be legally compelled to disclose confidential data. Opponents privately said they were resigned to passage of the bill, first introduced in 2012: "The curtain is falling on the last act of the 41st Parliament".

A six-figure fine on an airline for breaching federal anti-spam regulations is a “wake-up call” for industry, says a legal analyst. Porter Airlines was fined $150,000 for emailing prospective customers: "This really brings home the reality that the regulations are impacting everyday Canadian businesses".

A longtime sportswriter who lost thousands of dollars publishing a free-to-read hockey blog has won a Tax Court judgment over the Canada Revenue Agency. The tax department had refused to credit the blogger’s losses incurred while travelling with the Toronto Maple Leafs as legitimate business expenses: "It is taking immense internal restraint to not comment on the ongoing Leafs ‘legacy’".

Blacklock’s notes with sadness the passing of Paul Delahanty, 82, an original contributor and longtime reporter. Mr. Delahanty died Sunday of cancer. Found among Mr. Delahanty’s personal effects at his Gallery desk was a prized copy of the Charter Of Rights & Freedoms, and a handwritten quotation from Thomas Jefferson.

An ex-Mountie cashiered on suspicion of drinking off-duty has lost a bid for a Supreme Court hearing. Justices declined to hear the constable’s complaint of wrongful dismissal. The case predated a court order striking down a 1920 ban on unions in the RCMP: "I have no jurisdiction".

Senators today take up Bill C-377 amid warnings that angry disagreement over the union bill is further diminishing the Senate, itself. Final passage of the bill appeared close but likely after Conservatives overruled Speaker Leo Housakos in a bid to throttle a Liberal filibuster: "Changes have to occur in the Senate".