Jonnette Watson Hamilton
@jwatsonhamilton.bsky.social
Retired prof UCalgaryLaw. 🇨🇦
Still writing about equality rights, residential tenancies, #A2J. History grad student. Adopter of senior cats.
Alt banner text: Snowy mountain slope with 2 snowmobilers in the background.
Still writing about equality rights, residential tenancies, #A2J. History grad student. Adopter of senior cats.
Alt banner text: Snowy mountain slope with 2 snowmobilers in the background.
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
The UCP’s fall legislative session reveals volumes about what the party really values and what it doesn’t: no rights for teachers and trans folks (Bills 2 and 9) no rights for those who depend on AIMCo investments (Bill 12) but hey, we’ll pay out to aussie coal companies any time. #ableg #abpoli
November 26, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
Thousands of folks at the MacDougall Centre saying No to Notwithstanding on Trans Day of Remembrance 🩵🩷🤍
November 21, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Thousands of folks at the MacDougall Centre saying No to Notwithstanding on Trans Day of Remembrance 🩵🩷🤍
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
One of the “activist” groups the premier refers to is the Canadian Medical Assn. The other two, Egale + Skipping Stone, backed up their injunction claim with reams of medical and other evidence. Evidence that the gov’t itself is lacking. The UCP is the real activist here. ablawg.ca/2025/11/19/t...
November 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
One of the “activist” groups the premier refers to is the Canadian Medical Assn. The other two, Egale + Skipping Stone, backed up their injunction claim with reams of medical and other evidence. Evidence that the gov’t itself is lacking. The UCP is the real activist here. ablawg.ca/2025/11/19/t...
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
Delighted to see this.
Time for the environment to ride the wave of recalls and citizen initiatives!
This is the first legislative proposal (rather than a policy or constitutional proposal) under the Citizen Initiative Act.
Bonne chance & lots of hard work ahead.
#ableg #abpoli
Time for the environment to ride the wave of recalls and citizen initiatives!
This is the first legislative proposal (rather than a policy or constitutional proposal) under the Citizen Initiative Act.
Bonne chance & lots of hard work ahead.
#ableg #abpoli
⚠️ BREAKING ⚠️
This afternoon, country music artist @corblund.bsky.social headed to #Edmonton to submit his application to Elections Alberta for a petition to prohibit coal mining in the #EasternSlopes of the Rocky Mountains.
#MountainsNotMines #WaterNotCoal #Calgary #YYC #Alberta #AbLeg #AbPoli
This afternoon, country music artist @corblund.bsky.social headed to #Edmonton to submit his application to Elections Alberta for a petition to prohibit coal mining in the #EasternSlopes of the Rocky Mountains.
#MountainsNotMines #WaterNotCoal #Calgary #YYC #Alberta #AbLeg #AbPoli
November 20, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Invoking the Charter's notwithstanding clause means the UCP are trying to avoid justifying their ban as a reasonable limit under s 1 of the Charter, even as they claim they are taking an evidence-based approach to protecting trans & gender diverse youth.
Can't back that claim up, premier?
#abpoli
Can't back that claim up, premier?
#abpoli
This post details what's at stake in the UCP's invocation of the Charter's notwithstanding clause to override the rights of trans and gender diverse youth. The government had other options, and to use the nuclear option of s 33 calls into question its confidence in its ability to justify its laws.
New Post: The Nuclear Option: An Update on Alberta’s Legislation Targeting Trans and Gender Diverse Youth
ablawg.ca/2025/11/19...…er-diverse-youth/
ablawg.ca/2025/11/19...…er-diverse-youth/
November 20, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Invoking the Charter's notwithstanding clause means the UCP are trying to avoid justifying their ban as a reasonable limit under s 1 of the Charter, even as they claim they are taking an evidence-based approach to protecting trans & gender diverse youth.
Can't back that claim up, premier?
#abpoli
Can't back that claim up, premier?
#abpoli
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
This post details what's at stake in the UCP's invocation of the Charter's notwithstanding clause to override the rights of trans and gender diverse youth. The government had other options, and to use the nuclear option of s 33 calls into question its confidence in its ability to justify its laws.
New Post: The Nuclear Option: An Update on Alberta’s Legislation Targeting Trans and Gender Diverse Youth
ablawg.ca/2025/11/19...…er-diverse-youth/
ablawg.ca/2025/11/19...…er-diverse-youth/
The Nuclear Option: An Update on Alberta’s Legislation Targeting Trans and Gender Diverse Youth
By: Jennifer Koshan Case and Bill Commented On: Egale Canada v Alberta, 2025 ABKB 394 (CanLII); Bill 9, Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, 2nd Session, 31st Legislature PD…
ablawg.ca
November 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
This post details what's at stake in the UCP's invocation of the Charter's notwithstanding clause to override the rights of trans and gender diverse youth. The government had other options, and to use the nuclear option of s 33 calls into question its confidence in its ability to justify its laws.
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
On this 1st day of Trans Awareness week, here is a list of resources from our faculty providing legal analysis of anti-trans laws/policies (looking at you AB & SK). These resources are produced by allies, and it is also crucial to listen to voices from trans communities:
egale.ca/egale-in-act...
egale.ca/egale-in-act...
Trans Awareness Week 2025 - Egale Canada
Every March 31st, the trans community and allies come together to observe Trans Day Of Visibility (TDOV)
egale.ca
November 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
On this 1st day of Trans Awareness week, here is a list of resources from our faculty providing legal analysis of anti-trans laws/policies (looking at you AB & SK). These resources are produced by allies, and it is also crucial to listen to voices from trans communities:
egale.ca/egale-in-act...
egale.ca/egale-in-act...
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
This thread.
#cdnpoli
#cdnpoli
Akbar Shahid Ahmed with the first report to confirm that former Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at the time of his tenure was asking State Department officials whether or not Israel's actions constituted ethnic cleansing.
NEW: Inside the Biden administration debates in late 2024 that could have changed the course of the Gaza war
-top intel official sought to cut support for Israel but Brett McGurk pushed back
-talk of "very likely" US liability
-Blinken spoke of "ethnic cleansing"
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
-top intel official sought to cut support for Israel but Brett McGurk pushed back
-talk of "very likely" US liability
-Blinken spoke of "ethnic cleansing"
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
November 8, 2025 at 12:21 AM
This thread.
#cdnpoli
#cdnpoli
The Upper Smoky basin that's part of the Peace River basin, which is part of the Mackenzie River basin system that drains into the Arctic Ocean? That Upper Smoky basin? It's in the regional plan for the South Saskatchewan River? 🤯 Did someone dig a ditch or what?
November 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The Upper Smoky basin that's part of the Peace River basin, which is part of the Mackenzie River basin system that drains into the Arctic Ocean? That Upper Smoky basin? It's in the regional plan for the South Saskatchewan River? 🤯 Did someone dig a ditch or what?
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
While the motion to expedite the leave application was granted, the UR Pride case will be heard separately from English Montreal School Board v AG Quebec. Seems a little surprising given the similarity of the S 33 issue, but the Bill 21 case must march on I guess
decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-...
decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-...
November 6, 2025 at 4:05 PM
While the motion to expedite the leave application was granted, the UR Pride case will be heard separately from English Montreal School Board v AG Quebec. Seems a little surprising given the similarity of the S 33 issue, but the Bill 21 case must march on I guess
decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-...
decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-...
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
When the first instinct of a so-called independent regulator is to call the Minister’s office for their “input” you don’t have an independent regulator
November 6, 2025 at 5:06 PM
When the first instinct of a so-called independent regulator is to call the Minister’s office for their “input” you don’t have an independent regulator
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
if there be a causal connection betwn the use of the NWC & recalls then we have an imp citizen-led brake on the routine use of NWC when a govt seeks a quick win. The fear of success may be enough.
I'm no fan of recall legislation but I'll shed no tears about this exercise.
#abpoli #ableg
I'm no fan of recall legislation but I'll shed no tears about this exercise.
#abpoli #ableg
Recall efforts targeting UCP MLAs gain momentum after use of notwithstanding clause
Efforts to recall UCP MLAs gaining traction following government invoking the notwithstanding clause to force striking teachers back to work
calgaryherald.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
This is a really helpful post that puts the UCP’s use of the NWS clause in context and makes the case for the ongoing justiciability of Bill 2’s constitutionality. Someone on here was looking for a primer on Bill 2 and s 33 the other day and this is it! And one more thing:
ABlawg (Shaun Fluker and students in the Faculty's Public Interest Clinic) also weighing in on Bill 2.
@ablawg.bsky.social
ablawg.ca/2025/10/30/b...
@ablawg.bsky.social
ablawg.ca/2025/10/30/b...
Back to School Notwithstanding the Charter
By: Shaun Fluker and JD students registered in the Public Interest Law Clinic Legislation Commented On: Back to School Act, SA 2025 (full citation unavailable at publication time) PDF Version: Back…
ablawg.ca
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
This is a really helpful post that puts the UCP’s use of the NWS clause in context and makes the case for the ongoing justiciability of Bill 2’s constitutionality. Someone on here was looking for a primer on Bill 2 and s 33 the other day and this is it! And one more thing:
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
In a decision yesterday, the ABCA stated that "academic freedom exists to protect all scholarship, including that which may be unpopular or politically targeted." So-called 'activism' is still "research" + "teaching" exempted from FOIP applications. See 2025 ABCA 350, canlii.ca/t/kg5f3 at [40-42].
canlii.ca
October 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
In a decision yesterday, the ABCA stated that "academic freedom exists to protect all scholarship, including that which may be unpopular or politically targeted." So-called 'activism' is still "research" + "teaching" exempted from FOIP applications. See 2025 ABCA 350, canlii.ca/t/kg5f3 at [40-42].
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
A brave and incredibly important and valuable report from the Jewish Faculty Network.
#cdnpoli
www.jewishfaculty.ca/cija-report
#cdnpoli
www.jewishfaculty.ca/cija-report
The CIJA Report | Jewish Faculty Network
A Pattern of Anti-Palestinian Racism and Genocide Denial at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Published by the Jewish Faculty Network.
www.jewishfaculty.ca
October 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A brave and incredibly important and valuable report from the Jewish Faculty Network.
#cdnpoli
www.jewishfaculty.ca/cija-report
#cdnpoli
www.jewishfaculty.ca/cija-report
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
Another Australian coal company has announced that it has reached a settlement ($95 million)with the GoA over its compensation claims due to Alberta's coal policy flip flops.
Once again this info comes to AB taxpayers from the company website.
No disclosure from the GoA.
#abpoli #cdnpoli
Once again this info comes to AB taxpayers from the company website.
No disclosure from the GoA.
#abpoli #cdnpoli
evolvepower.ca
October 22, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
Helpful post on the ABCA’s discussion of the rules governing use of AI in court documents by @roberthamilton.bsky.social. And on the consequences for not following those rules.
New Post: The Alberta Court of Appeal Weighs in on the use of AI in Court Submissions
ablawg.ca/2025/10/15...…ourt-submissions/
ablawg.ca/2025/10/15...…ourt-submissions/
October 15, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Helpful post on the ABCA’s discussion of the rules governing use of AI in court documents by @roberthamilton.bsky.social. And on the consequences for not following those rules.
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
Bit of a deeper dive on the growing push back to #Ableg’s so-called Mature Asset Strategy: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Groups push back on Alberta’s strategy to deal with inactive oil and gas wells as plan moves forward | CBC Accessibility
A band of advocate groups are pushing back on the province's current plan to manage its inactive and aging oil and gas infrastructure.
www.cbc.ca
October 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Bit of a deeper dive on the growing push back to #Ableg’s so-called Mature Asset Strategy: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Interesting (and not too technical) on the application of Borys v CPR and Imperial Oil Ltd, 1952 CanLII 337 (AB CA), aff’d 1953 CanLII 414 (UK JCPC) and how petroleum may be produced.
Technical oil and gas law post on the Court of Appeal's decision in Signalta Resources Limited v Canadian Natural Resources Limited, 2025 ABCA 306
October 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Interesting (and not too technical) on the application of Borys v CPR and Imperial Oil Ltd, 1952 CanLII 337 (AB CA), aff’d 1953 CanLII 414 (UK JCPC) and how petroleum may be produced.
"While Canadians fear the hypothetical threat of becoming the 51st state, Indigenous Peoples in Canada have lived through generations of sustained assault on their sovereignty."
Natl "narratives don't just distort the past—they actively justify the exclusion of Indigenous voices in shaping the present. Indigenous community leaders, legal scholars, and knowledge-keepers [are] rarely consulted in mainstream ...discourses." [email protected] asks, "Whose sovereignty is it anyway?"
Where do Indigenous nations fit in renewed Canadian nationalism? - CCPA
Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum follow a similar playbook as those he first imposed in 2018. What’s different this time around? The deeper fear they’ve reignited: not just ec...
www.policyalternatives.ca
October 14, 2025 at 5:58 PM
"While Canadians fear the hypothetical threat of becoming the 51st state, Indigenous Peoples in Canada have lived through generations of sustained assault on their sovereignty."
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
The last time Alberta proposed to subsidize O&G’s closure liabilities, ScotiaBank warned that it flew in the face of “the core capitalist principle that private cos shld take full responsibility for the liabilities they willingly accept”.
Indeed. Yet it’s the same in O&G jurisdictions everywhere.🤔
Indeed. Yet it’s the same in O&G jurisdictions everywhere.🤔
LIVE Oct 16 - Drill & Dash: The Oil & Gas Liability Crisis
@molszyns.bsky.social, Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, joins EvC to unpack Alberta's mounting energy liability crisis.
Register and join on October 16 at 4pm ET/2pm MT:
www.energyvsclimate.com/invite-drill...
@molszyns.bsky.social, Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, joins EvC to unpack Alberta's mounting energy liability crisis.
Register and join on October 16 at 4pm ET/2pm MT:
www.energyvsclimate.com/invite-drill...
You're Invited - Drill & Dash: The Oil & Gas Liability Crisis with Martin Olszynski | Oct 16 at 4pm ET
Who'll be left paying the tab?
Martin Olszynski, Associate Professor and Chair in Energy, Resources, & Sustainability at the University of Calgary, joins Energy vs Climate to unpack Alberta's mountin...
www.energyvsclimate.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The last time Alberta proposed to subsidize O&G’s closure liabilities, ScotiaBank warned that it flew in the face of “the core capitalist principle that private cos shld take full responsibility for the liabilities they willingly accept”.
Indeed. Yet it’s the same in O&G jurisdictions everywhere.🤔
Indeed. Yet it’s the same in O&G jurisdictions everywhere.🤔
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
Actually if the Panel accepts that the Charter applies to universities, they might also have noted that it guarantees *substantive* equality and protects affirmative action programs in S 15(2).
Alberta's Expert Panel on Post Secondary Institution Funding goes all in on white pride
October 10, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Actually if the Panel accepts that the Charter applies to universities, they might also have noted that it guarantees *substantive* equality and protects affirmative action programs in S 15(2).
Congrats on selling out this event! It's good to see the interest In closure liabilities.
T-minus 2 days until academics, lawyers, regulators, First Nations, eNGOs & others from Canada, the U.S., Australia & the U.K. gather at UCalgary Law. We’ve maxed out registration. If you weren’t able to register, look for an edited volume next yr & some @ablawg.bsky.social posts next week.
October 2, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Congrats on selling out this event! It's good to see the interest In closure liabilities.
A fascinating (in the details) & depressing post about just how ineffective & captured-by-industry the Alberta Energy Regulator is. Another overwhelming pattern of regulatory failure in the oil & gas sector revealed, failure that Albertans will pay for with their wallets & health for generations.
Better late than never: our 18 pp (!) analysis of #ableg's so-called Mature Asset Strategy (w/ Shaun Fluker and @drewyewchuk.bsky.social). TLDR: the MAS is a thinly disguised attempt to rewrite the origin story of Alberta's O&G closure liability crisis and to push more gov't support & deregulation.
New Post: The Mature Asset Strategy for Alberta’s Oil and Gas Closure Liability Crisis: Where there is Smoke [and Mirrors], there is Fire.
ablawg.ca/2025/09/30...…rs-there-is-fire/
ablawg.ca/2025/09/30...…rs-there-is-fire/
September 30, 2025 at 5:57 PM
A fascinating (in the details) & depressing post about just how ineffective & captured-by-industry the Alberta Energy Regulator is. Another overwhelming pattern of regulatory failure in the oil & gas sector revealed, failure that Albertans will pay for with their wallets & health for generations.
Reposted by Jonnette Watson Hamilton
Solidarity from law profs down highway 2. That this reprehensible and dangerous action by U of A was apparently triggered by conservative media is appalling. The “protection” rationale trotted out by U of A (see also: forceful takedown of campus protests) is baseless and must be challenged.
"Why would it bow to antidemocratic pressures by placing a professor on leave without their request, consent, or involvement? That any university would do this is beyond comprehension and is cause for alarm about the future of academic freedom in Canada."
What Happened to the University’s Commitment to Free Expression? Charley Kirk, uAlberta, and Me | Centre for Free Expression
I was shocked when the University of Alberta administration informed me, one of its law professors, that I was being placed on non-disciplinary leave for my social media comments in the wake of Charli...
cfe.torontomu.ca
September 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Solidarity from law profs down highway 2. That this reprehensible and dangerous action by U of A was apparently triggered by conservative media is appalling. The “protection” rationale trotted out by U of A (see also: forceful takedown of campus protests) is baseless and must be challenged.