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Equity in Law: When Fairness Goes Beyond the Rule Book
What happens when following the law to the letter produces an unfair result? That’s the question at the heart of equity — a branch of law built on fairness and conscience that has been shaping justice for centuries. In this episode of Definitely Not Legal Advice, Laura McPhee and Mark Jacka take a deep dive into the world of equity, tracing its fascinating history from medieval England to modern Canadian courtrooms, and breaking down why it still matters for businesses today.
3 days ago4 min read
Petition Quashed: How an Expansive Reading of the Duty to Consult Could Reshape Democratic Participation in Alberta
On May 13, 2026, Justice Shaina Leonard of the Alberta Court of King’s Bench quashed Elections Alberta’s approval of Stay Free Alberta’s citizen-initiated petition for a referendum on Alberta independence. The petition had already gathered roughly 302,000 signatures, far exceeding the 178,000 required under the Citizen Initiative Act, RSA 2000, c C-13.2.
May 2010 min read
The Notwithstanding Clause: Democracy’s Safety Valve or a Threat to Your Rights?
If you’ve been following Canadian news at all lately, you’ve probably heard the term “notwithstanding clause” thrown around. From Quebec’s secularism laws to Alberta’s back-to-school bill forcing teachers back to work, this constitutional provision has been making headlines — and sparking debate. In this episode of Definitely Not Legal Advice, Laura McPhee and Mark Jacka break down what the notwithstanding clause actually is, how it works, and then do something fun: they each
May 114 min read
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