ABLawg - - Page 302

Case considered: Boyd v Cook, 2013 ABCA 27.

As my University of Calgary law professors repeat time after time, a missed limitation date is one of the few things you cannot fix as a lawyer. So, when I came across this recent Alberta Court of Appeal case, naturally I paid close attention. The underlying claim was an investment in an unsuccessful development project. Mr. Cook induced Mr. Boyd to invest in a mortgage company. The majority of the funds were used to invest in a development project that Mr. Boyd had flatly refused on several occasions to invest in. Mr. Boyd filed a Statement of Claim. Mr. Cook sought summary dismissal on limitation grounds. A Master dismissed the summary dismissal application (2012 ABQB 284), which was upheld by a chambers judge. It looked like the parties were going to trial. However, the Court of Appeal decided to allow the limitations defense.

A Charter Right to Search Google TM*

By Martin Kratz

On February 27, 2013

In Constitutional, Criminal

PDF version: A Charter Right to Search Google

Decision considered: R v McKay, 2013 ABPC 13.

The Internet has transformed society in so many ways. Even the ways we find information and the sources we rely upon have been fundamentally transformed. It appears our legal systems need to adapt to this new reality.

Migratory Birds and the City

By Shaun Fluker

On February 25, 2013

In Environmental, Protection of Species

PDF version: Migratory Birds and the City

Decision considered: Podolsky v Cadillac Fairview Corp. [2013] OJ No 581 (QL) [Note as of date of writing this decision is not available online at Canlii or the Ontario Court of Justice].

In this recent decision of the Ontario Court of Justice, Justice Melvyn Green finds the corporate defendant property developers and managers not guilty of charges laid against them by Ecojustice as a private prosecutor under the federal Species at Risk Act, SC 2002, c 29 as well as the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, RSO 1990, c O.36 and the Environmental Protection Act, RSO 1990, c E.19. The substance of these charges is the physical harm or death suffered by migratory birds when they collide with urban buildings. Justice Green rules the prosecution established beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants committed the actus reus of the offences, and he also finds the defendants established on the balance of probabilities that they took reasonable steps to avoid the bird collisions. Accordingly, Justice Green acquits the defendants on all charges.

Public Consultations on Responsible Energy Development Act Regulations

By Admin

On February 22, 2013

In Responsible Energy Development Act

PDF version: Public Consultations on Responsible Energy Development Act Regulations

News release commented on: Alberta Government, “Province seeks input on new energy regulator” (February 13, 2013).

The Government of Alberta announced on February 13 that it will be holding public consultation sessions as part of its process to develop the new regulations under the Responsible Energy Development Act. Public consultation sessions are taking place in 18 communities across the province and began on Wednesday, February 20. A list of the 18 sessions can be found on the Alberta Energy “Regulatory Enhancement Project” web page. The Calgary session will take place on February 25, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Glenmore Inn and Convention Centre, 2720 Glenmore Trail SE.

When is a Lease Issued “In Lieu” of an Existing Lease?

By Nigel Bankes

On February 20, 2013

In Limitations, Oil & Gas

PDF version: When is a lease issued “in lieu” of an existing lease?

Case Commented In: Canadian Natural Resources Limited v Jensen Resources Ltd, 2012 ABQB 786

In the early 1980s the Government of Alberta decided to make a clearer distinction in its tenure regime between grants of conventional petroleum and natural gas (PNG) rights and grants of oil sands rights. In implementing this policy the province went so far as to redefine the rights contained in existing Crown PNG leases. But in return, it allowed the affected PNG lessees to apply for a form of oil sands tenure for the rights that had been excluded from the PNG leases. That’s what happened in this case and the issue was whether Jensen’s gross overriding royalty (GOR) which clearly applied to the PNG leases also carried over to the oil sands rights. Justice Jo’Anne Strekaf held that it did.

Limitation Periods and the Subjective Element

A Charter Right to Search Google TM*

Migratory Birds and the City

Public Consultations on Responsible Energy Development Act Regulations

When is a Lease Issued “In Lieu” of an Existing Lease?