• Smith defends text exchange with separatist lawyer over changing petition rules

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-29 19:41:48.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Justice]

  Alberta Premier Danielle Smith defended text message exchanges with separatist lawyer Jeffrey Rath regarding upcoming changes to the Citizen Initiative Act, which lowered signature thresholds and extended collection periods by 30 days to a total of 120 days starting July 4, 2025. Opposition New Democrats, led by Naheed Nenshi, questioned the Premier during question period over her communication with the organizers of the Stay Free Alberta petition, which ultimately gathered 223,000 verified signatures. Smith stated that her communications were intended to guide individuals through evolving citizen initiative rules and that she routinely helps anyone seeking clarity on legislative processes.

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• Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner – Report A-2026-036 Released

  Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
  Date: 2026-10-29 17:45:03.0
  Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Governance, Justice]

  The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner released Report A-2026-036, finding that the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands contravened section 65(1) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. The Department failed to retain interview panel notes involving an employment candidate's personal information for the mandatory one-year retention period, improperly treating them as transitory records and destroying them prematurely. The Commissioner recommended that the Department review its transitory records usage and update its record retention policies to comply fully with section 65.

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• Financial intelligence agency slow to provide police with info to curb money laundering: AG

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-10-29 14:19:17.0
  Tags: [National, Finance, Public Safety, Justice, Governance]

  A federal auditor general report tabled in the House of Commons reveals that the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) takes an average of about four months to provide financial intelligence to law enforcement agencies. Half of the surveyed police and law enforcement respondents reported receiving FINTRAC intelligence too late to be useful for freezing assets, intercepting transactions, or apprehending suspects. The auditor general concluded that inadequate tools and processing delays hinder FINTRAC from effectively carrying out its mandate to detect and deter money laundering and terrorist financing.

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• Feds open to supporting elements of Divorce Act amendments, but fate unclear

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-10-28 22:11:44.0
  Tags: [National, Justice, Governance]

  Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced that the federal government is open to supporting elements of Bill C-223, a private member's bill introduced by Liberal MP Lisa Hepfner to amend the Divorce Act. The proposed legislation seeks to curb parental alienation claims, establish new screening requirements for lawyers regarding family violence, and provide judges with tools to identify coercive control in child custody cases. While women's groups and legal advocates like the National Association of Women and the Law have raised concerns about the bill's potential dilution or stalling in committee, discussions continue to balance child protection with judicial discretion.

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• Alberta ethics commissioner suspends investigation into MLAs accepting hockey tickets

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-28 22:03:17.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Public Safety, Justice]

  Alberta Ethics Commissioner Shawn McLeod suspended his investigation into MLAs accepting hockey tickets under Section 25(6) of the Conflict of Interest Act due to an active law enforcement probe. The suspension follows inquiries by Alberta Legislative Assembly Speaker Ric McIver regarding the status of the ethics probe. Concurrently, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is investigating allegations of corruption, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering in Alberta health care procurement practices, which surfaced in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former Alberta Health Services CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos. Media reports previously indicated that MHCare Medical CEO Sam Mraiche provided NHL playoff box seats to cabinet ministers and government staff.

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• Fraud, breach of trust and money laundering subject of RCMP Alberta health care procurement probe: court filing

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-28 17:11:45.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Healthcare, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

  An Ontario Crown prosecutor's letter filed in Athana Mentzelopoulos's $1.7-million wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the Alberta government revealed that the RCMP are investigating Alberta Health Services procurement practices for potential fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering. Mentzelopoulos, the former CEO of Alberta Health Services, claims she was fired after investigating inflated contracts for private clinic surgeries and conflicts of interest involving Sam Mraiche's medical supply company, MHCare. While opposition NDP leader Naheed Nenshi renewed calls for a public inquiry, Premier Danielle Smith rejected the demand, citing an earlier report by retired judge Raymond Wyant.

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• New Brunswick introduces legislation to crack down on copper wire theft

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-28 15:32:10.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Public Safety, Justice, Infrastructure, Governance]

  Premier Susan Holt’s Liberal government in New Brunswick has introduced legislation to amend the Salvage Dealers Licensing Act aimed at cracking down on copper wire theft. The proposed changes restrict the sale of copper wire exclusively to licensed salvage dealers and individuals lawfully entitled to possess and dispose of it. Sellers are now required to provide photo identification, and a mandatory 48-hour buffer on payments has been established. The provincial government acted in response to rising incidents reported by telecommunications and electricity companies regarding infrastructure thefts causing service outages.

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• Le gouvernement du Québec souhaite mettre fin au changement d'heure

  Source: Quebec - Fil de presse gouvernemental
  Date: 2026-10-28 14:22:30.0
  Tags: [Quebec, Justice, Healthcare, Governance]

  Quebec Minister of Justice Marie-Claude Sarrazin announced the government's intention to make the upcoming time change the last one in the province. The decision follows public consultations and studies highlighting the negative impacts of time changes on mental and physical health. The initiative represents a significant regulatory and governance shift for the province regarding standard time observation.

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• 2026 Speech From the Throne will Keep Saskatchewan Strong and Steady

  Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
  Date: 2026-10-28 02:09:00.0
  Tags: [Saskatchewan, Economy, Healthcare, Justice, Infrastructure, Governance]

  The Government of Saskatchewan delivered its 2026 Speech from the Throne, outlining a legislative agenda centered on maintaining economic stability amid global market uncertainties and highlighting over $100 billion in major projects currently underway. Premier Scott Moe's administration announced plans to introduce several new pieces of legislation, including the Safer Homes for Seniors Act, the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Additional Safeguards Act prohibiting MAID for minors and sole mental illness conditions, and the Protection of Economic Infrastructure Act to prevent disruptions to critical supply chains. Additional proposed laws include the Opioids Damages Act to recover health care costs from manufacturers, the Prevention of Deceptive AI Act, and amendments to The Traffic Safety Act and The Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Act. Furthermore, the government committed to raising the provincial income tax-free threshold for a family of four above the current $65,000 level in the upcoming spring budget.

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• Alberta to remove DEI hiring practices, strengthens protections against deepfake distribution

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-27 21:06:05.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Justice, Public Safety, Education, Governance]

  Justice Minister Mickey Amery tabled Bill 33, the Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, which prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices and mandatory training across provincial bodies including public agencies, Crown-controlled organizations, public post-secondary institutions, school boards, and municipalities under Section 10.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act. Additionally, the legislation amends the 2017 Protecting Victims of Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Act—renamed the Intimate Content Protection Act—to penalize the distribution of artificially generated or modified non-consensual deepfake images with fines up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. The bill also reverses provisions from former Bill 14 regarding the Legal Profession Act by altering governance and appeal processes concerning the Law Society of Alberta.

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• UCP to vote on bathroom laws, land acknowledgements, but not separatism

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-27 18:10:54.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Energy, Indigenous, Justice]

  Members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party will debate and vote on 22 policy resolutions at their annual general meeting in Calgary from November 27 to 29, 2026. The proposed resolutions include measures regarding public washroom policies and updates to the Alberta Human Rights Act, the discontinuation of First Nations land acknowledgements and blocking of indigenous land claims, mandatory byelections for floor-crossing MLAs, and opposition to federal net zero and carbon capture mandates. While the party's governing caucus is not bound by the member-approved resolutions, past meetings have resulted in implemented policy and legislative changes under Premier Danielle Smith's administration.

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• C-41 (45-1) - Medical Assistance in Dying Safeguards Act

  Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
  Date: 2026-10-27 10:00:00.0
  Tags: [National, Healthcare, Justice, Governance]

  The Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-41, titled the Medical Assistance in Dying Safeguards Act, in the House of Commons during the 1st session of the 45th Parliament on October 27, 2026. The legislation proposes amendments to the Criminal Code and related statutes concerning medical assistance in dying (MAID). The bill is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons following its first reading and introduction.

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• Province Recognizes Annual Access to Justice Week

  Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
  Date: 2026-10-26 21:30:00.0
  Tags: [Saskatchewan, Justice, Governance]

  The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed October 25–31, 2026, as Access to Justice Week, highlighting ongoing investments and structural reforms across the province's legal system. Key policy and administrative measures include $3 million allocated to the Court Modernization Project for J-STAR implementation and courtroom technology, $170,000 to transition the Child Support Service into a provincially funded model, and the establishment of two new municipal bylaw courts serving Rosthern and Fort Qu'Allle. Additionally, the province appointed four new Court of King's Bench associate judges and three new Provincial Court judges to address rising caseloads and procedural backlogs.

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• 'It's time to abolish the Indian Act,' Manitoba premier tells PM in historic meeting with chiefs

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-10-26 19:39:49.0
  Tags: [National, Manitoba, Indigenous, Governance, Justice]

  During a historic first ministers' meeting in Ottawa alongside Prime Minister Mark Carney and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called for the federal government to abolish the 150-year-old Indian Act. Kinew argued that the race-based legislation and status card system are incompatible with modern Canadian human rights and self-determination, stating that the act must be dismantled in cooperation with First Nations people and governments. The closed-door summit marked the first gathering of its kind between First Nations leaders and first ministers since the 2005 Kelowna Accord talks.

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• Smith vows cautious approach after narrow win on immigration, muses about referendum on photo radar

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-24 23:03:15.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Immigration, Governance, Justice, Transportation]

  Premier Danielle Smith announced a cautious legislative approach following narrow victories in an Alberta referendum on immigration questions, indicating a grandfathering approach that exempts immigrants who arrived under old rules. Smith confirmed that legislation requiring proof of citizenship—such as a passport, provincial driver’s license with a citizenship symbol, or equivalent verification—will be introduced for the next provincial election after receiving 58 percent support. Additionally, the government is appealing a court ruling regarding consultation duties on citizen-initiated separation referendums and is considering future referendums on medically assisted death advance directives and municipal photo radar enforcement.

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• Reminder: Firearms Amnesty Extended Beyond October 30 Expiry Date

  Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
  Date: 2026-10-23 22:00:00.0
  Tags: [Saskatchewan, National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

  The Government of Canada has extended its federal firearms amnesty period beyond the previously scheduled expiry date of October 30, 2026, tying the new deadline to 90 days after the Supreme Court of Canada renders its decision on appeals challenging the May 2020 firearms prohibitions. The amendment covers amnesty orders associated with federal bans implemented in May 2020, December 2024, and March 2025, protecting affected individuals and businesses from criminal liability while maintaining compliance. In response, the Saskatchewan Firearms Office continues to provide provincial support through its Firearms Verification and Appraisal Service, offering firearm verification, certificates of exemption, and appraisals for affected owners and businesses navigating the federal regulations.

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• Yukon government asks court to toss Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in lawsuit over mining regulation changes

  Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
  Date: 2026-10-23 18:41:15.0
  Tags: [National, Indigenous, Mining, Resources, Justice, Governance]

  The Yukon government filed a statement of defence in the Yukon Supreme Court asking to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation regarding temporary amendments made in May 2025 to placer-mining, quartz-mining, and water-use regulations. The amendments, set to remain in effect until December 31, 2028, allow the territorial government to extend soon-to-expire permits and licences for eligible operators to mitigate a major permitting backlog. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in's January lawsuit alleges that the territory failed to consult the First Nation in violation of its final agreement and seeks financial compensation, whereas the government argues it had no duty to consult during the legislative process and that the First Nation delayed legal action.

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• Top court will hear appeal on ruling that found feds violated Charter during convoy protest

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-10-22 16:08:52.0
  Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Emergency, Governance]

  The Supreme Court of Canada agreed to hear an appeal regarding a 2024 Federal Court ruling—later upheld by the Federal Court of Appeal in January 2026—which found that the federal government of former prime minister Justin Trudeau infringed the Charter rights of Freedom Convoy participants when it invoked the Emergencies Act on February 14, 2022. The lower courts ruled that the Liberal cabinet lacked reasonable grounds and a legal basis to believe the protests posed a national security threat. This legal challenge contrasts with the findings of the 2023 Public Order Emergency Commission led by Commissioner Paul Rouleau, which concluded that the government had met the high legal threshold required to invoke the act.

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• N.S. NDP remove party whip following post about France protests

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-21 22:41:28.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Governance, Labour, Justice]

  The Nova Scotia New Democratic Party removed MLA Paul Wozney from his role as party whip following a social media post in which he called for France-style civil unrest to oppose government legislation. Wozney's comments were made in response to a legal remedy concerning Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability (2015) Act, which was previously ruled unconstitutional by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. NDP Leader Claudia Chender condemned the remarks as careless and affirmed that the party unequivocally denounces violence or suggestions of violence in civic life.

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• S-242 (45-1) - Georgina’s Law

  Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
  Date: 2026-10-21 17:30:09.0
  Tags: [National, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

  Bill S-242, titled Georgina’s Law and sponsored by Senator Fabian Manning, is a Senate Public Bill proposing an Act respecting national action for the prevention of intimate partner violence. The bill completed third reading in the Senate on February 24, 2026, and subsequently reached the House of Commons for first reading on May 27, 2026. It is currently undergoing debate at second reading in the House of Commons as of October 21, 2026. This legislation builds on similar efforts from the previous parliamentary session, notably Bill S-249 from the 44th Parliament.

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