March 2020 - Inspire Law

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied

March 28, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff
Photo: "response" is licensed under CC0 1.0

Liquor and cannabis stores remain open. The list of essential services seems to be about a mile long. Amid all the concern about coronavirus, covid-19, even dollar stores are open. Lawyers are considered an “essential service.” By definition, this includes the judiciary. Why,...

Interview with The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., C.C., CStJ, FCIArb

March 26, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff
Photo: The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin’

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to interview The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin. Growing up in Pincher Creek, Alberta prepared her well for playing an integral role in our justice system. Here is a little bit about...

8 Basic Employment Law Concepts During Times of Mass Hysteria

March 18, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff

Some readers might remember the SARS outbreak of 2002. They may remember H1-N1 and various other outbreaks over the years. During the Spanish flu of 1918, all events in Kelowna with more than 10 people were cancelled. Now it is COVID-19,...

The Duty of Procedural Fairness

March 12, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff
Photo: "The view at random times" by jon_a_ross is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Have you ever encountered a situation in which you knew an organization was being unfair, but you weren’t sure what to do about it? It is possible that a violation of the administrative law duty of procedural fairness may have occurred. This is...

Paid Job Protected Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence in B.C.

March 6, 2020
Susan Kootnekoff
Photo: "Wahi Sawaal | Short Film" by Abhey Singh, jaikishan patel is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

As International Women’s Day approaches, what better time to introduce legislative amendments to assist employees impacted by “domestic or sexual violence.” For simplicity, I will refer to this as domestic abuse. If implemented, the amendments will also apply to employees...