Two major rulings came down Thursday

Two major rulings were made Thursday: the Supreme Court upheld the status quo unanimously in the case of a man fined for bringing some Quebec-bought beer and liquor – not a commercial supply but a modest amount for personal use – to New Brunswick in 2012. Gerard Comeau fought it all the way to the top. It may not sound like a big deal but it brings in all kinds of issues about the rights of the provinces vis-à-vis the Canadian federation, and some items note that it could have an effect even on the current bras de fer between B.C. and Alberta over the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

The other ruling was made in Quebec Superior Court, upholding Bill 99 from 2000, which states that only Quebec has the right to decide whether it secedes. The case was brought by the Equality Party, which doesn’t exist any more.