
Quebec private security law doesn't apply to firms working in federal areas: court
OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada says a Quebec law governing private security activities does not apply to two firms involved in work that falls under federal responsibility.
In a unanimous judgment, the top court took issue with aspects of a licensing scheme established by Quebec's Private Security Act that effectively gives a provincial administrative body the final say on security activities that come under an exclusive federal power.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Cision Canada
B.C. court says fraudster's financial sanction will not be erased by bankruptcy
VANCOUVER, BC, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ - A $6.8 million financial sanction against a fraudster will not be extinguished if he is discharged from bankruptcy, a B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled. The BC Securities Commission (BCSC), which ordered Thomas Arthur Williams to pay the sanction in 2016, had asked that the sanction remain enforceable even if all or most of his other debts are erased by discharge from bankruptcy. The judge granted the BCSC's application based on last year's ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada in another BCSC case. The Supreme Court of Canada said that a type of financial sanction known as disgorgement – an order to pay money representing the amount obtained or loss avoided by the wrongdoing – should survive bankruptcy if it was imposed for misconduct involving "false pretences or fraudulent misrepresentation." "There is a direct link between the disgorgement order debt and [Williams's] deceitful misconduct," the court said. A BCSC panel found in 2016 that Williams, who had been a registered mutual fund representative, was the mastermind of a Ponzi scheme that raised approximately $11.7 million from 123 investors between February 2007 and April 2010. The panel found that he committed fraud and violated securities laws concerning prospectus and registration requirements. Williams, who applied for bankruptcy in 2021, has not paid any portion of the $6.8 million disgorgement order. He opposed the BCSC's application to have the disgorgement survive discharge from bankruptcy, but according to the court, he "was unable to provide a reason for why the declaration should not be granted when given an opportunity to do so during the course of the hearing." Any funds collected for disgorgement can be returned to victims of the misconduct. This month's B.C. Supreme Court ruling was the first to use the Supreme Court of Canada's legal test for determining whether a financial sanction should survive discharge from bankruptcy. The Supreme Court of Canada, in that same 2024 ruling, said that administrative penalties – which are separate from disgorgement orders, and are aimed at deterring misconduct – are not enforceable after a discharge from bankruptcy. The court's 5-2 ruling was based on its interpretation of the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA), which says that certain types of debts will not be erased after discharge. The court noted that Parliament could have drafted the BIA to expressly say that financial sanctions of regulatory bodies or administrative tribunals are exempt from bankruptcy discharge, but the BIA does not say that. In response to that ruling, the BCSC has been engaging with elected and appointed federal officials about adding securities regulators' financial sanctions to the BIA's list of debts that survive bankruptcy. In addition to the $6.8 million disgorgement order against Williams, the BCSC also imposed a $15 million administrative penalty. He has not paid any portion of that, either. Williams sought to be discharged from bankruptcy in 2023. The BCSC and the court-appointed trustee opposed that application, which was adjourned indefinitely. About the BC Securities Commission ( The BC Securities Commission, an independent provincial government agency, strives to make the investment market benefit the public. We set rules, monitor compliance by industry, take action against misconduct, and provide guidance to investors and industry. As guardians of B.C.'s investment market, we're committed to maintaining a market that is honest, fair, competitive and dynamic, enabling British Columbians to thrive. Learn how to protect yourself and become a more informed investor at


Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Developer in Parker Lands saga wants Supreme Court to decide whether city staff delayed project
A developer is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to cast a final decision on whether the City of Winnipeg should pay $5 million in damages over a finding its staff delayed a major housing project. In April, the Manitoba Court of Appeal overturned an order that the city pay the penalty due to a 2023 ruling that found two city employees deliberately stalled the Fulton Grove development. On Monday, an application filed in court on developer Gem Equities' behalf asked for permission to appeal the matter to the Supreme Court. Gem Equities proposed residential development on the Parker lands called The Fulton Grove project sought to create about 1,900 housing units on 47 acres of south Winnipeg land. 'The applicants ask that leave to appeal be granted with costs,' the document states. The developer is seeking a new ruling to ensure damages and legal costs are paid. It's expected to take months for the court to decide if it will consider the matter or not. The original July 2023 judgment that sparked the municipal government's appeal found two city employees liable for 'misfeasance in public office.' In April 2025, the appeal judge rejected that conclusion and found the city should no longer be held 'vicariously liable' for the delay. The 2023 ruling noted that 'misfeasance in public office' reflects a finding of deliberately disregarding public duties with knowledge 'misconduct was likely to harm the plaintiffs.' In the latest legal document, the developer's lawyer argues determining where misfeasance applies is a matter of national importance. 'The tort of misfeasance in public office is founded on the fundamental rule of law principle that those who hold public office and exercise public functions are subject to the law and must not abuse their powers to the detriment of the ordinary citizen,' it states. The Fulton Grove project aims to create about 1,900 housing units on 47 acres of south Winnipeg land surrounded by the CN Railway Rivers line and the southwest rapid transitway. In a brief statement, a city spokesman said the municipal government is aware of the Supreme Court request. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'We are preparing our response to the application through the court. As such, we have no further comment to provide at this time,' wrote David Driedger. Mayor Scott Gillingham declined comment, stating he was still reviewing the application. Kevin Toyne, the developer's lawyer, also declined comment. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.


Ottawa Citizen
5 days ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Penny Boudreau, who strangled her 12-year-old daughter, tries for 'early' release
Article content The Conservatives focused on toughening up the chance for early parole for criminals convicted of multiple murders. Leader Pierre Poilievre promised to use Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, known as the Notwithstanding Clause, to reintroduce the Protecting Canadians by Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murders Act, which the Supreme Court of Canada struck down in 2022 because, in their opinion, it violates an offender's Charter rights. Article content The Supreme Court's decision has impacted the sentences of some of Canada's most notorious killers like Alexandre Bissonnette, who was serving a life in prison with no chance of parole for 40 years for shooting and killing six people in a Quebec Mosque in 2017. After the Supreme Court's decision, Bissonnette will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years. Article content The decision doesn't affect Boudreau, who was convicted of one murder (not multiple murders). She is required to provide her DNA and is prohibited from owning weapons for her lifetime. She has no previous offences that offer insight into her mindset at the time of the murder. She has referenced experiencing low self-esteem, a sense of inadequacy and fears of abandonment, according to her psychological risk assessments in her prison file. Article content Article content Her assessments described her overall risk for unescorted absences and/or day parole was 'generally low.' These ratings, it said, have withstood the test of many years of incarceration and would not be expected to change unless 'you were in an unhealthy relationship which is currently not a concern.' It also noted Boudreau has recently spoken of 'how you work through the many emotions that come with accepting the offence you committed, daily feelings of guilt and shame.' Article content Article content Boudreau toured a community residential facility — halfway house — last December and met with the director. The location remains confidential. In March, the Parole Board of Canada acknowledged recent threats made to Boudreau's personal safety increase the need for security and suggested any measures necessary will be taken when Boudreau appears before the hearing. Article content Article content Today, there is still a memorial for Karissa on the LaHave riverbank where her body was found. Sarty goes there when she is struggling to make sense of how her friend's mother, a woman she knew, could forsake her unconditional love for her daughter. Article content 'I have my own son and my love is deep. He could curse me and put me down to the lowest, and I'm still going to look at him and say, 'I love you.'