Harper takes a swing at the Supreme Court after losing yet another case

May 7th, 2014 by Priya Sarin

In the past few years, the Harper government has aggressively pursued its own agenda without due regard for the Canadian Constitution, the rights of the provinces and the rights of the most vulnerable Canadians. It has pushed for Senate reform, tougher criminal laws, and even subtly attempted to shift the balance of the Supreme Court of Canada by appointing judges with a conservative bent.

Stephen Harper may have hoped that his five appointments to the Supreme Court would influence the outcome of the cases before it, but a recent string of well‑deserved thrashings in court have demonstrated that the Supreme Court is truly an independent, non‑partisan body, able to act as a check on the government’s (inappropriate) actions.

Read more on rabble.ca

Laura Bowman nominated as Provincial NDP candidate for York-Simcoe

April 16th, 2014 by Iler Campbell

We’re very pleased to announce that Laura Bowman is the provincial NDP candidate for York-Simcoe. Laura grew up in Holland Landing, East Gwillimbury and maintains many ties with the area. Regular readers of our blog will recall her articles on development issues in the Lake Simcoe region.

She plans to campaign on curtailing sprawl, improving transit infrastructure, protecting water,  affordable housing, local agriculture, improving local employment opportunities and municipal and planning reform.

Laura will continue working at Iler Campbell until the election, in which we wish her all the best. For more about her and her platform, visit her website at laurabowman.ca.

Iler Campbell at CHFT Spring Member Education Event

April 15th, 2014 by Iler Campbell

Shelina Ali will be leading a workshop on minute taking, Saturday April 26, at the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto’s 2014 Spring Member Education Event. Her workshop, entitled Minutes Matter, aims to take the mystery out of taking minutes for housing co-ops.

For more info about the event, see the brochure here (PDF).

If you’re interesting in having us lead a workshop for your event or organization, let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Update on Not‑for‑Profit Legislation

April 11th, 2014 by Shelina Ali

The deadline for federally incorporated non-profit organizations to continue under the Canada Not-for‑Profit Corporations Act (CNCA) is approaching quickly. Federally incorporated organizations have until October 17, 2014 to make the transition.  Failure to transition to the new legislation means dissolution.

To transition, federally incorporated non-profits will need to prepare and file Articles of Continuance, Notice of Initial Directors, and Notice of Registered Office, with Industry Canada.

Continue reading “Update on Not‑for‑Profit Legislation”

Client Profile: North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT)

April 4th, 2014 by Iler Campbell

NDACT is an incorporated, not for profit, entity which was formed in January 2009 by concerned citizens, including a number of farmers from Melancthon and Mulmur Townships.

NDACT was formed when members of the community gathered to voice their concerns about The Highland Companies plans to build a 2,316 acre “Mega‑Quarry” on more than 6,000 acres of prime agricultural land that they had amassed as of that date.

Concerned about the future of the croplands and water resources in the community and province wide, residents gathered together to rally opposition to the project.

Our relationship with NDACT goes back to 2011.  Iler Campbell provided NDACT with legal advice and assistance in their fight to stop the Mega‑Quarry and protect farmland and water in Ontario.

In late 2012 the Quarry application was withdrawn and in 2013 the land was sold to a farmland investment company.   Although this application has been withdrawn, there are still many communities around Ontario that are facing challenges with land use and agricultural protection.  NDACT continues to advance farmland preservation and the protection of water resources through its “Food and Water First” campaign.  You can find out more at foodandwaterfirst.com

Iler Campbell at Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation Spring Education Conference

April 1st, 2014 by Iler Campbell

Celia Chandler and Lauren Blumas will be presenting at the Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation Spring Education Conference this Saturday in Cambridge. Their workshop will explore human rights issues and issues that people claim are human rights issues in co-op housing. They’ll address how to determine which issues are really human rights issues, what to pay attention to in by-laws and policies concerning human rights, how to respond when questioned and what to do if you receive a human rights application.

If you’re interesting in having us lead a workshop for your organization, let us know. We’d love to hear from you.