Days before the Quebec government enacted a contentious back-to-work legislation to end an acrimonious labour standoff with its Crown prosecutors and government lawyers, a judicial compensation committee released an inconspicuous report that will likely once again test the government’s rapport with the principle players of the legal system.
Several weeks after three more individuals linked with the bankrupt Montreal financial group Mount Real Corp. were ordered to pay fines ranging from $7,000 to $104,500, its former president now faces charges in an another alleged fraud that dates back to 1998.
The City of Saguenay and Mayor Jean Tremblay has been ordered to pay $30,000 in moral and punitive damages by a Quebec Human Rights Tribunal to a citizen for discriminating against his freedom of religion and conscience. The City and the mayor were also ordered to remove a crucifix and a Sacred Heart statue from city council meetings as well as to stop reciting a prayer before each city council meeting.
“By reciting a prayer and displaying religious symbols in a hall where all citizens are invited to participate in the life of a democratic municipality, the Mayor and the City of Saguenay did not respect its obligation to remain neutral,” said the Tribunal.
In spite of the ruling, it appears that Quebec’s National Assembly will not follow suit. A crucifix placed over the Speaker’s chair will stay put.
When Paul Messier Jr. pled guilty in mid-January to 10 counts before Court of Quebec Justice Jean-Pierre Boyer, it marked the nineteenth conviction against individuals in the Mount Real financial scandal.
About 2,500 Quebecers are challenging impaired driving charges, a situation that is becoming “less and less manageable,” according to the Quebec Attorney General.
The small town of Bromont lost another court battle against multinational techology and consulting firm IBM over assessment roles.
News roundup – Kirpans, Norbourg & pay equity complaints
Two partially-conflicting Court of Quebec judgments have thrown into doubt the fate of changes introduced two years ago by the federal government that strengthened drug-impaired driving rules.
The surging number of unrepresented litigants may leave legislators with little choice but to to review and enact simplified rules of practice to make justice more accessible, said the Chief Justice of Quebec Superior Court.
Quebec law society urges improvements for people suffering from mental illness.
Three more individuals linked with the bankrupt Montreal financial group Mount Real Corp. were recently condemned…
