Research publications

Classified as “one of the world’s most successful aquatic invaders” by the Global Invasive Species Database, the European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) is native to Europe and northern Africa. Commonly referred to as green crab, the species is now also found in Australia, the North and South Americas, and South Africa. Fisheries and Oceans Canada describes the green crab as an aggressive and “dominant predator, feeding upon many shellfish species such as clams, mussels, oysters, smaller crab and other crustaceans and even small fish.” The presence of green crab is problematic for those who commercially fish or farm the prey species mentioned above.

On 30 April 1949, the Government of Canada ratified the North Atlantic Treaty, becoming one of the 12 founding members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). A political, military and economic alliance, NATO has been a central pillar of Canada’s international security policy for the past 70 years.

Women’s participation in Canadian politics and in the Parliament of Canada is longstanding. Over 100 years ago, women began lobbying to obtain the right to vote in federal elections and to represent the interests of their fellow Canadians as elected or appointed parliamentarians.

On June 21st Canada will celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Communities across the country will hold events to celebrate the heritage, achievements, and diversity of Indigenous peoples. Given the recent closure of Parliament’s Centre Block for renovations, it is fitting to reflect on the contributions of Indigenous artists to the Parliament buildings.

Plastic pollution in marine environments is a global problem of increasing concern. Commercial fishing activities represent one of the main sources of ocean-based plastic pollution, along with shipping operations. The fishing industry uses large quantities of fishing gear comprised of a combination of materials designed for durability, affordability and flexibility, such as nylon monofilament gill nets and vinyl-coated steel lobster traps.

Pesticides – or pest control products – are substances used to control living organisms that are considered harmful. For this reason, these substances can sometimes pose health and environmental risks. In Canada, pesticide use is subject to a registration process to mitigate those risks.

Some of the technological advances that have emerged in the last few years have had or could have a significant impact on privacy and data protection. For instance, federal privacy laws are not necessarily equipped to respond to the challenges presented by the growth of online services, e-commerce, the Internet of Things, and technology companies’ use of increasingly powerful algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI). Thus, a number of recommendations have been made to amend privacy legislation to address these issues.

Courts have held that a situation of epidemic (or pandemic) concerns the nation as a whole and would justify Parliament’s authority to legislate for the peace, order and good government, and that such power could be exercised not only to address an outbreak, but also to prevent one from occurring or from happening again. (Toronto Electric Commissioners v. Snider, [1925] AC 396; and Ontario (A.G.) v. Canada Temperance Federation, [1946] AC 193). Notwithstanding the above, it should be noted that all legislation and policies in Canada must conform to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. While the Charter protects the rights of Canadians, section 1 allows for “reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on Canada’s economy as a whole. Some industries have been particularly affected or will take a long time to return to normal.