Home » 2022 (Page 2)

R v Tessier : The Supreme Court modifies the Confessions Rule

Should the police be allowed to conduct interviews without warning people that what they said could be used against them in court? In a landmark and controversial decision (R v Tessier, 2022 SCC 35), the Supreme Court engaged in a deep analysis and modification of the common-law confessions rule.

Justice O'Bonsawin: Carrying the Burden of Four Centuries

“No matter where we are in society, no matter how far we move up, we always have to remember where we come from.” - Michelle O’Bonsawin (The Globe and Mail, August 2022) Introduction On September 1st, 2022, Michelle O’Bonsawin was sworn into office at the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”). Justice O’Bonsawin was appointed by […]

Appeal Watch: Delineating Constitutional Cannabis in Janick Murray-Hall v Attorney General of Quebec .

Introduction On September 15th, 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC” or “the Court”) heard Janick Murray-Hall v Attorney General of Quebec SCC 39906 [Murray-Hall (2022)], on appeal from the Quebec Court of Appeal (“QCCA” or “Court of Appeal”). This case offers the SCC an early opportunity to scrutinize and define federal and provincial legislative […]

Section 33.1 of the Criminal Code declared “of no force and effect” in R v Brown

In May 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada (the “SCC” or the “Court”) released two important decisions in R v Brown, 2022 SCC 18 [Brown] and its companion case, R v Sullivan, 2022 SCC 19 [Sullivan]. This article discusses Brown. For more information on Sullivan, refer to the case comment here. In Brown, Justice Nicholas […]

Double Royalties or Users' Rights? The SCC Interprets the Copyright Act in SOCAN

In Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada v Entertainment Software Association, 2022 SCC 30 [SOCAN], the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) heard an appeal from the Federal Court of Appeal (“FCA”). The case turned on the interpretation of s. 2.4(1.1) of the Copyright Act, RSC 1985, c C-42 [the Act].