Sandeson Murder Conviction, Unvaxxed Councillor Re-instated, Holtoff Family Suing NS Health, Hugh MacKay DUI plea, Antigonish Amalgamation; Ecology Action Centre LNG Appeal; #POEC Report

This week in Nova Scotian and Canadian law, I start with an analysis of the Mass Casualty Commission announcement that they are releasing their final report on March 30th in Truro. Next, I review the strange case out of Musgrave, NF where a municipal councilor was re-instated by the Court after having been removed for violating the Town's vaccine mandate. Next, I review the William Sandeson jury verdict, where they found the Dal Med student guilty of 2nd degree murder. There was also this week an insightful decision on Sandeson involving a violation of rules at the Burnside Jail, where the Justice involved did not find Sandeson to be a credible witness. The family of Allison Holtoff is suing Nova Scotia Health, after Ms. Holtoff died in the hospital in Amherst after waiting over seven hours to be seen. Former MLA Hugh MacKay managed to avoid jail time in his second DUI conviction, after pleading guilty to drinking and driving in 2018. The details revealed at sentencing were troubling in several senses. Antigonish Town and County are pursuing amalgamation, but it is being delayed by a group of County citizens who are taking the municipality to court over the procedures adopted. A future court date has been set for July, making it unlikely that the Province will introduce legislation this spring effecting the amalgamation. The Ecology Action Centre has successfully appealed their denial of public interest standing in the re-alignment of the road around the proposed Pieridae LNG plant in Goldboro. I discuss what that means for the project. Finally, I go back to last week's report from Justice Rouleau following the Emergencies Act Inquiry.