Tag: Immunity

New Quebec ethics bill raises concerns

A bill introduced recently by the Quebec government that aims to fortify governance and ethics in professional corporations, better protect the public, and encourage professionals to denounce reprehensible acts has been praised but also drawn concerns from disciplinary law experts.

Bill 98, a piece of legislation that acts on four of the 60 recommendations made by the Charbonneau’s Commission’s report on granting and management of public contracts in the construction industry, will bolster the powers of the regulatory body that oversees Quebec’s 46 professional corporations, including lawyers and accountants, will hand more discretionary powers to the syndic or ethics officer, and will under certain circumstances provide protection to whistleblowers.

Third parties receive immunity from damages under Quebec’s no-fault insurance automobile regime

Quebec’s no-fault insurance automobile regime leaves no place for medical malpractice suits or lawsuits alleging negligence, carelessness, or recklessness committed by third parties following a car accident, held the Quebec Court of Appeal in two separate but related rulings.

Witnesses testifying in public inquiries NOT necessarily protected

Testimony provided by witnesses before public inquiries can be used in civil proceedings.

Immunity and Public Inquiries

The sworn testimony of witnesses who testify during public inquiries cannot be used against them in criminal proceedings, but may in civil proceedings.