Author Archives: Admin4

Impaired driving changes could unfairly punish medical cannabis users, lawyers say

Canada’s proposed overhaul of federal impaired driving rules could unfairly criminalize medical cannabis users, according to an open letter to Ottawa signed by more than 50 criminal defence lawyers.

The letter, which warns that medical marijuana users could be unfairly punished under the proposed system, underscores the challenges to preventing high driving. Experts are divided on just how much THC – the principal psychoactive compound of cannabis – would make someone impaired, and the government is still developing a reliable way to conduct a roadside test.

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/impaired-driving-changes-could-unfairly-punish-medical-cannabis-users-lawyers-say/article36964228/

Crown drops manslaughter charge against driver who ran over man to save woman’s life

The Crown has withdrawn a manslaughter charge against the driver who ran over a man to save a woman who was allegedly being attacked.

Anthony Kiss ran down Dario Romero with his car on June 7 when he saw Alicia Aquino being attacked with a knife at Black Creek Dr. and Eglinton Ave. W. Romero, 37, died at the scene.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/11/14/crown-drops-manslaughter-charge-against-driver-who-ran-over-man-to-save-womans-life.html

Automated vehicles bring looming liability challenges for insurers and lawyers

Automobile insurance providers have historically relied on drivers’ individual records, along with statistics about various categories of drivers (traditionally grouped by age and sex), to determine the risk posed by the drivers they insure and to calculate the appropriate associated insurance premiums. A driver’s actions are also significant in determining fault for a collision.

https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/personalinjury/articles/5154/automated-vehicles-bring-looming-liability-challenges-for-insurers-and-lawyers

There is a prescription for poverty’s punishing impact on health in Ontario

The cost of poverty in Ontario is an estimated $32-to-38-billion per year. As physicians, we know that biology accounts for only a small portion of what makes people sick and that income is perhaps the most important social factor contributing to health.

One of the reasons poverty is expensive is because people living in poverty have higher rates of chronic disease, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Children in low-income families are at higher risk of diagnosed mental health problems, nutritional deficiencies, asthma and injury.

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/11/14/there-is-a-prescription-for-povertys-punishing-impact-on-health-in-ontario.html

Change ODSP & it’s Treatment of Spousal Earnings!

It is time for Ontario, a province known for preaching inclusivity to stand-up and finally do away with unfair regulations – one’s that are severely limiting those with disabilities who are in relationships and relying on income support from the Ontario Disability Supports Program. Sadly, as of today the province of Ontario is not truly an inclusive place to live – especially for those with disabilities who are punished financially simply for starting a relationship or being married. That why it is time for a much-needed change to ODSP and their unfair and some what discriminatory treatment of spousal earnings. After all those living with disabilities truly deserve better.

https://www.change.org/p/change-odsp-it-s-unfair-treatment-of-spousal-earnings

Justice delayed is justice denied for accident victims

There is a real problem in our justice system and it is getting worse. Victims of road violence and other forms of negligence tell horror stories of being victimized twice by the delays within the system. Their complaint is legitimate.

https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/personalinjury/articles/5151/justice-delayed-is-justice-denied-for-accident-victims-patrick-brown

Have You Been Hurt on Public Transit?


Many of us take riding public transit for granted and assume that we are safe on board. This is an interesting assumption since transit busses and streetcars travel fast, we don’t wear seatbelts, many of us stand on them, and their access stairs and walkways are often wet and slippery. Occasionally we hear of tragedies in which people are either hit by a transit vehicle or they are dragged along under one.

https://www.deutschmannlaw.com/blog/post/have-you-been-hurt-on-public-transit

New hearing ordered in medical negligence case due to ‘procedural unfairness’

In Levac v. James 2017 ONCA 842, the court heard that the Rothbart Centre for Pain Care experienced a bacterial infection outbreak and nine patients became seriously ill. Toronto Public Health audited the clinic’s infection prevention and control practices and found that the patients had fallen ill after receiving injections from Dr. Stephen James, an anesthesiologist at the clinic.

https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/5135

What is a notice letter?

If you have sustained an injury that is the result of the negligence of another person – you could have an action for damages. Your entitlement to damages begins at the moment you suffer your loss. However, as anyone who has brought a lawsuit before knows – you will not get paid for a long time.

http://otlablog.com/what-is-a-notice-letter/

Reduce opioid prescriptions in favour of non-drug alternatives, pain management coalition urges

A national group of health-care providers is calling for a new approach to pain management in Canada that cuts down on the prescribing of opioids in favour of non-pharmacological alternatives.

The Coalition for Safe and Effective Pain Management outlined its ideas Monday in a report at the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions’ Issues of Substance 2017 conference in Calgary.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/opioid-use-prescription-non-pharmacological-alternatives-crisis-doctors-coalition-pain-1.4400346