Submissions and Resolutions

The Canadian Bar Association offers its assistance to the Minister of Public Safety, in particular on Anti-terrorism Act amendments, immigration issues and cross-border policies to safeguard privileged information.

The Canadian Bar Association recommends that new rules to protect communications between patent and trade-mark agents and their clients remain distinct from solicitor-client privilege, which in Canada is a unique substantive rule of law protected by the Charter.

The CBA responds to Natural Resources Canada consultation urging harmonization in the reporting requirements for extractive entities while requesting clarification on the application and definitions of the act.

The CBA tells the Prime Minister and Immigration Minister that it will work with the Government to address the conflict in Syria by offering pro bono services to help expedite the entry of refugees into Canada.

The CBA joins with other civil society groups to ask the federal government to support the inclusion of strengthening the rule of law as a goal for the post-2015 development agenda.

The CBA Anti-Corruption Team comments on the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada's (PWGSC) Integrity Framework calling for a review of the manner in which organizations are debarred from contracting with the federal government.

The CBA responds to Bill C-51, an omnibus bill proposing changes to, and introducing legislation pertaining to anti-terrorism, is too broad and must be accompanied by effective oversight.

WHEREAS Canada is a party to the UN Convention against Torture, the four Geneva Conventions on humanitarian law, the Convention against Genocide, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Statute of the International Criminal Court

The CBA says Bill C-44 undermines established practices that balance national security against fundamental rights. The proposed amendments reduce protections against disclosure of information that may identify confidential informants.

The CBA supports efforts to raise global standards for transparency in the extractive sector, however, urges harmonization of the reporting requirements with the Unites States and European Union regimes.