The Year in Canadian Law - SCC Decisions, Public Inquiries, Pandemic Litigation, and Ahead to 2023

Looking back on 2022 in Canadian Law means looking back at three public inquires that took place, some notable decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada, and some thoughts on pandemic-related litigation.

The Desmond Inquiry and the Mass Casualty Commission were based in Nova Scotia, but are national in scope, examining re-integration of our military members, and the way we are policed. The Public Order Emergency Commission is examining whether it was proper to invoke the Emergencies Act back in February during the trucker protests. Each of those inquiry reports are expected to be released in early 2023. The Supreme Court made decisions dealing with mandatory minimum sentencing, rights to counsel, and drug-induced automaton defenses.

In 2023, we will see the reports from the various inquires, and will potentially see a privately funded inquiry examining the governments' response to the pandemic. I will also be watching to see whether there is any development in the Federal Department of Fisheries towards establishing a regulated, Marshall decision-based aboriginal fishery on the east coast, which might help put an end to violent confrontations on the wharves and waters in our fishing communities.