Analysis of PM Trudeau at Emergencies Act, MCC Closing Submissions, and Scottish Referendum Decision

This week, I provide a legal analysis of the appearances of federal cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister at the Emergencies Act Inquiry. The participants had been trying all week to figure out the legal advice the government had been given about the EA, but all cabinet ministers, including the Justice Minister, had refused to say what that advice had been, citing solicitor-client privilege. In last week's video, I speculated on what that advice may have been, and my views were effectively confirmed by the Prime Minister on Friday in his testimony. I discuss how that will be viewed by Justice Rouleau as he makes his determinations as to whether the extraordinary powers under the Act were justifiably invoked.

In this podcast, I also discuss the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission closing submissions, dealing with policing recommendations and the important recommendations for changes to the legal structures around domestic violence complaints.

Two other stories I briefly cover are a child protection decision out of NS where the Justice laments that Courts cannot order contact with biological parents when a permanent care order is made, and the Scottish government's failed attempt to convince the Supreme Court there that they alone (rather than the UK Parliament) can authorize a referendum on independence. This latter decision will have an impact on independence movements in other countries as well, including any Canadian province which might be considering such a move.