Category: Law Reform Page 1 of 5

Case/Decision/Legislation/Bill Commented On: Protecting Victims of Non-consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Act, SA 2017, c P-26.9

PDF Version: Intimate Image Abuse in the Age of Deepfakes: Reforming Alberta’s Civil Legislation: Part 2

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection reported that non-consensual distribution of intimate images (NCDII) involving Canadian youth increased by approximately 21% between 2024 and 2025, from 436 to 527. Despite the growing prevalence of intimate image abuse, Alberta does not provide a dedicated process for obtaining an expedited intimate image protection order or expressly authorize orders requiring online platforms to remove intimate images. Victims seeking protective relief must instead navigate ordinary civil proceedings or pursue voluntary removal through online platforms.

Intimate Image Abuse in the Age of Deepfakes: Reforming Alberta’s Civil Legislation: Part 1

By Emma Marck

On August 25, 2026

In Internet Law, Law Reform, Privacy

By: Emma Marck

Legislation Commented On: Protecting Victims of Non-consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Act, SA 2017, c P-26.9

PDF Version: Intimate Image Abuse in the Age of Deepfakes: Reforming Alberta’s Civil Legislation: Part 1

One in ten American teenagers personally knows someone who has had deepfake non-consensual intimate images (DNCII) of them created, and 6% reported having been victimized by DNCII (Thorn, Deepfake Nudes & Young People: Navigating a New Frontier in Technology-Facilitated Nonconsensual Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (Thorn: 2025) at 14). Recent incidents in Alberta demonstrate why intimate image legislation must address DNCII and its online distribution. In December 2025, a Calgary teen was charged in relation to DNCII of students from several schools. Six months later, two Edmonton boys were charged after creating and sharing DNCII of classmates. Reported consequences include job loss, school expulsion, post-traumatic stress disorder, and, in some cases, death by suicide (Mary Anne Franks, “‘Revenge Porn’ Reform: A View from the Front Lines” (2017) 69:5 Florida L Rev 1251 at 1259, 1263).

Democracy Watch and its Implications for the Practice of Channeling Limited Judicial Supervision to Appellate Courts

By Nigel Bankes

On August 10, 2026

In Administrative Law, Appellate Practice, Law Reform, Supreme Court of Canada

By: Nigel Bankes

Matter Commented On: Democracy Watch v Canada (Attorney General), 2026 SCC 28 (CanLII)

PDF Version: Democracy Watch and its Implications for the Practice of Channeling Limited Judicial Supervision to Appellate Courts

This post assesses the implications of the Supreme Court’s unanimous and important decision in Democracy Watch for those many scenarios in which a provincial legislature channels some part, but only some part, of the judicial supervision of a regulatory tribunal to the province’s appellate courts. The drafting technique, at least in Alberta, is quite consistent. Step one, make provision for an appeal of a decision of a regulator to the Court of Appeal with a short limitation period; step two, confine that appeal to points of law or jurisdiction (i.e. no appeal on findings of fact or mixed findings of law and fact); step three, stipulate that the appeal is not as of right, but is subject to a leave or permission to appeal application; step four, confirm, by way of a broadly drafted privative clause, that the usual avenues for judicial review in the Court of King’s Bench are foreclosed.

Submission on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

By Emily Laidlaw

On May 29, 2026

In Artificial Intelligence, Law Reform

By: Emily Laidlaw

Matter Commented On: Study on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in the information and communication technology sector, Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

PDF Version: Submission on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

Author’s Note:

In April I had the opportunity to testify before the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in the information and communication technology sector.

Can a Landlord Double Your Rent?

By Susan Emam

On May 25, 2026

In Landlord/Tenant, Law Reform, Residential Tenancies Dispute Resolution Service

By: Susan Emam

Report Commented On: Alberta Law Reform Institute, Residential Tenancies Act: Before and During a Tenancy, Issue Paper 7

PDF Version: Can a Landlord Double Your Rent?

Imagine that you are currently a tenant who has been renting an apartment for $825 per month. You have been paying the same monthly rent since 2016. One day, your landlord serves you with a three-month notice of rent increase, which raises your rent to $1,650. Facing a 100% increase in rent, you believe that you are being economically evicted because you are unable to pay the rent. These are the facts of Re 24012190, 2024 ABRTDRS 20 (CanLII), a 2024 decision of the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS), a tribunal that can resolve certain kinds of disputes between landlords and tenants.