Q:Why do we spend so much money and time on court cases where people are clearly guilty? Why isn’t there an easier way to do it that would reduce my taxes? A:This question is asked often but runs against the current of centuries of jurisprudence. Our legal system is based on fundamental assumptions, and you […] Read more
Stories by Rick Danyliuk
Dirty Tricks gang leader counsels at-risk youth
Q: I would like information about Canada’s Dirty Tricks Gang. A: The gang was a group of robbers who operated mainly in the Toronto area in the 1970s and early 1980s. Led by Richard Atkinson, the gang conducted hundreds of armed robberies at mainly banks and credit unions. At one time, Ontario’s attorney-general called them […] Read more
Ill workers must be accommodated
Q:I run a small ag-oriented business in a smaller centre. I have an employee who has been drinking, has been short on cash-outs and has mistreated some of my best customers. I want to fire her, but my lawyer is saying I may not be able to. What gives? A:This depends on which province you […] Read more
Helping someone die contentious issue in Canada
Q: I have a friend who has a terminal disease. It is painful and she says she would rather die than continue this way. She will get steadily worse until her body shuts down. What is the law on helping someone end her life in such circumstances? A: The Criminal Code of Canada bans assisted […] Read more
Government says public not ready for marijuana legalization
Q:Why isn’t marijuana legal and taxed? The government could make more revenue, and it isn’t as harmful as booze. What’s going on? A:This is a huge question, not only legal in nature. The answer lies with Canada’s Parliament. You have to assume laws are made by our elected officials because they reflect public feelings and […] Read more
Certified accountants best bet in dealing with tax laws, forms
Q: I live in town but bought one quarter of farmland years ago. I now am retiring and want to sell it, after farming it myself for many years. Does it attract capital gains tax? A: As my partners will quickly tell you, what I know about tax isn’t worth knowing. Still, this is an […] Read more
Modern Canadian electoral system more orderly than many countries
Last week, I wrote about election laws in Canada. That got me thinking about election nastiness that we’ve seen in the U.S., and I thought I’d compare that to the Canadian experience to see if there are any instances of legal challenges within Canadian electoral law. Not surprisingly, our experience has been kinder and gentler […] Read more
Photo identification part of voting requirements
Q:We are in the midst of a federal election. This got me thinking about election laws in general. Can you comment? A:Ah, yes, nothing like an election to make Canadians happy about spending millions of dollars of our own money. A number of laws govern federal elections, and not just the one that says you […] Read more
Photographic memory aids criminal
From time to time I’ve written about infamous legal matters, often criminal in nature, which occurred or had their roots in Canada some time in the past. This week’s column deals with a criminal mastermind from many years ago, Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. Born Alvin Karpavicz in Montreal in 1907, Karpis was raised in the United […] Read more
Client questions lawyer’s discipline
Q: I had a complaint about my lawyer. It went to discipline and the law society found him guilty of “conduct unbecoming,” whatever that is. However, it seemed to me that he got a slap on the wrist. What does it take to stop someone from practising law when they shouldn’t be? A: This is […] Read more
