MCC Report Preview, Donham FOIPOP Case, Dog Breeder Dispute, Riparian Rights Violated, Civil Liberties of Online Safety

This week in Nova Scotian and Canadian law, I give a preview of the Mass Casualty Commission's final report, which is set to come out March 30th. The MCC stated this week that the report will be between 2000-3000 pages, a statement that seemed designed to ward off 'instant' reactions or critiques as being necessarily ill-considered. The final decision on the search warrants issued about Gabriel Wortman's properties was delivered last week. I take a look, and discuss how the police and governments can be more transparent. On government transparency, Parker Donham had a decision go against him regarding an application under freedom of information legislation. He was seeking information on the Seal Island Bridge, and opposed the granting of an extension of time for the government to provide the information. In a small claims court case released this week, a dog breeder successfully sued a couple who bought a White German Sheppard, and then had it neutered, in violation of their contract with the breeder. There was a decision released this week on riparian rights in Nova Scotia, which is the right of anyone who owns land adjacent to waterways to access navigable waters from their shoreline. This lawsuit arose when neighboring property owners built a wharf that interfered with the ability of the plaintiff to access waters from her property. Finally, I look to an open letter on the federal government's efforts to craft legislation on online safety, signed by a dozen or so civil liberties organizations.