Submitted by Section Chair, Stacey Grubb
Summary of Meetings
Number of Meetings Held: 3
October 1, 2012
Guest Speaker: Alison Latimer, Arvay Finlay, Counsel for the plaintiffs, Jason Gratl, Gratl Purtzki, Counsel for the intervener Farewell Foundation for the Right to Die, and Matthew Morawski, Miller Thomson LLP, Counsel for the intervener Christian Legal Fellowship
Synopsis: Carter v. Canada (Attorney General)
A Panel Discussion regarding the BC Supreme Court decision The panel discussed the the recent and nationally important "Physician Assisted Suicide" decision. We were fortunate to hear from three lawyers who were involved with the summary trial. The counsel discussed the facts underpinning the case as well as what the decision means for Canadians. This case is under appeal and the BC Court of Appeal was scheduled to hear the appeal in March 2013.
January 14, 2013
Guest Speaker: Dr. Russell Brown, Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Graduate Studies, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta), Dick Byl, Dick Byl Law Corporation, Robert Easton, Miller Thomson LLP, and Ryan Morasiewicz, Miller Thomson LLP
Synopsis: Causation: Clements Redux featuring Counsel Who Argued the Case
The panel of experts reviewed the facts and decision in the recent Supreme Court of Canada case - Clements v. Clements. The panel added some further insight into the "material contribution" and the "but for" tests as the Supreme Court of Canada once again discusses the difficult issue of causation.
March 8, 2013
Guest Speaker: Lisa Fong and Benjamin Ralston, of Ng Ariss Fong
Synopsis: A Year in Review in Health Law: A discussion of key cases from 2012 and a preview of important decisions to watch for in 2013.
Comments and Observations of the Chair
The Health Law Section comprises many lawyers from various areas of practice. It is always difficult to find meeting topics that will appeal to a broad range of members. The "Year in Review" seems to be a popular meeting topic and this is the second year that we have had this topic.
There are currently a number of cases relevant to the lawyers in the Health Law Section and this year we were pleased to present two meetings with in-depth case analysis from counsel who argued the cases.