Faculty in the News

Why are Canadian cell phone rates among highest in world? (Vancouver Sun)  
In this article, Michael Geist, Common Law Section, compares cell phone rates in Canada to those of other nations. "Canada ranks among the three most expensive countries for several standard data only plans." 

Adam Dodek: Battling the omnibus bills (National Post)
In this Op-Ed, Adam Dodek, Common Law Section, outlines the history of the improper uses of omnibus bills.

Birth control often not covered by Canadian insurers (Canadian Medical Association Journal)
Colleen Flood, Common Law Section, addresses the inconsistencies in insurance coverage for birth control. “We need a rational process.” 

Canada lacks clear laws on surrogacy: professor (Radio-Canada International)
Vanessa Gruben, Common Law Section, explores the regulations and laws concerning international surrogacy. "As it currently stands we don’t have clear laws about who the parents of a child born of a surrogate are."

Forging a new deal for doctors requires a new approach (Toronto Star)
Steven Hoffman and Colleen Flood, Common Law Section, co-write this Op-Ed highlighting the need for a new approach in doctor negotiations and a new paradigm in the delivery of physician care across Canada.

Pokemon Go shows us healthy living must also be fun, health experts say (CBC News)
Steven Hoffman, Common Law Section, and Tanishq Suryavanshi, Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics, explore the health benefits of the augmented reality game Pokemon Go. 

Guess How Many Zika Cases Showed Up At The Olympics? (National Public Radio)
This article references a letter co-written by Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, which called for the delay, relocation or cancellation of the Olympic games in Rio due to health risks. 

Now is not the time to tax e-cigarette liquid (Irish Times)
In this Op-Ed, David Sweanor, Common Law Section, explains why the recommendation to add a tax to the liquid used in e-cigarettes (vapour) products should not be implemented. 

How unsubstantiated fears over aspartame and e-cigarettes are having a detrimental effect on public health (National Post)
David Sweanor, Common Law Section, and PhD student Adam R. Houston co-write this article exploring whether sugar-free sodas and e-cigarettes are viable means at reducing an individual's sugar and nicotine intake.

C-51 review expected to launch before Parliament resumes (The Fulcrum)
Craig Forcese, Common Law Section, comments on the Liberal government's promise to create a national security committee of parliamentarians. 

Venezuela ordered to pay Vancouver-based mining firm more than US$1.2 billion (CTV News)
Debra Steger, Common Law Section, comments on an international arbitration tribunal ordering Venezuela to pay a Vancouver-based mining company more than US$1.2 billion for expropriating its gold mines.

Commons witness casts doubt on his own study of ranked ballot system (The Hill Times)
Nathalie Des Rosiers, Common Law Section, discusses evidence that shows party "list" MPs in Scotland and New Zealand, who are not directly elected by voters, co-operate with those who are directly elected by supporters of the same party. 

Opinion: Quebec should harmonize deadline for kindergarten and Grade 1 enrolment with other provinces (Ottawa Citizen)
In this Op-Ed, Marel Katsivela, Common Law Section, outlines age eligibility policies for kindergarten and Grade 1 students in Québec.

Former Liberal MP LeBlanc, communications consultant Fortier expected to vie for Bélanger's riding (The Hill Times)
This article mentions Emilie Taman, Faculty of Law, and her openness to running again for the NDP’s MP nomination. 

12 of the Biggest Health and Security Flops at the Rio Olympics (Cosmopolitan.In)
This article mentions Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, who has explained the potential Zika-related health risks of the Summer 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. 

Ottawa taxi company in tough in Uber lawsuit battle: lawyer (Ottawa Business Journal)

Bruce Feldthusen, Faculty of Law, discuses an Ottawa taxi company’s lawsuit against the city over the way it handled the arrival of ride-hailing service Uber.

Canadian Police Seek Law Forcing Computer Users to Provide Passwords (Sputnik News)
Tamir Israel, Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, discusses the proposal by Canadian police for a law that compels people to hand over their passwords so officers can access digital communications. "It's rare to force people to help police investigate themselves, and for good reason."

Calgary judge denied victims request to have statement read aloud in court (Toronto Star)
Carissima Mathen, Common Law Section, explains the Criminal Code mandate that allows a victim to read their own victim impact statement, but allows judges to decide whether it can be read on their behalf by someone else on a case by case basis.

C-51 review expected to launch before Parliament resumes (iPolitics)
Craig Forcese, Common Law Section, discusses the Liberal government’s highly anticipated review of its national security framework, particularly the anti-terrorism legislation C-51.

Canadian Cops Want a Law That Forces People to Hand Over Encryption Passwords (Vice)
Tamir Israel, Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, discusses the proposal by Canadian police for a law that compels people to hand over their passwords so officers can access digital communications.