Author Archives: Aniz Alani

On June 6, 2017, a three judge panel of the Federal Court of Appeal unanimously upheld the Federal Court’s order that the applicant, Aniz Alani, pay the government’s costs of defending the Senate vacancies constitutional challenge. The Federal Court concluded … Continue reading →

On October 13, 2016, the Federal Court (per O’Reilly J.) issued judgment and reasons in the application for judicial review concerning unfilled Senate vacancies. The Court concluded that the application was moot given that the current Prime Minister “has initiated … Continue reading →

A full text transcript of the June 22, 2016 oral hearing before the Honourable Justice O’Reilly of the Federal Court in Vancouver in the judicial review application concerning the Prime Minister’s delay in filling Senate vacancies is now available for … Continue reading →

The Federal Court heard arguments on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 on the application for judicial review seeking a declaration that the Prime Minister must advise the Governor General to fill Senate vacancies within a reasonable time after they occur. Following … Continue reading →

Today the Federal Court will begin hearing oral arguments on whether the Prime Minister has an obligation to advise the Governor General to fill Senate vacancies within a reasonable time after they occur. The hearing will be held in Vancouver … Continue reading →

A formal response to the government’s motion to dismiss the judicial review application for mootness has been provided and is available at the links below. In summary, the applicant argues that the issue of whether the Prime Minister has an … Continue reading →

On May 16, 2016, lawyers for the Prime Minister and Governor General filed a motion with the Federal Court to dismiss the judicial review application concerning the Prime Minister’s obligation to fill Senate vacancies within a reasonable time after they … Continue reading →

On March 1, 2016, an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged that he clarify his position on Senate vacancies and how it differs from that of his predecessor, former prime minister Stephen Harper. In particular, the letter proposes: If … Continue reading →

On February 11, 2016, the Federal Court issued a scheduling order fixing a two day hearing in Vancouver from June 22-23, 2016. At the discretion of the hearing judge, a motion by the Respondents (government) to dismiss the application for mootness … Continue reading →

On January 25, 2016, a three judge panel of the Federal Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed Canada’s appeal of the Federal Court’s refusal to summarily dismiss the application for judicial review concerning Senate vacancies. The Court issues brief oral reasons … Continue reading →