Worker May Proceed With Suit Against Canada

A federal appellate court this week ruled that the Government of Canada was subject to suit by an injured consulate employee under the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Act. While foreign countries have sovereign immunity from the American justice system, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that Canada was engaged in “commercial activity” in Massachusetts, exposing the nation to civil liability to Cynthia Merlini. Merlini, an American citizen, was hired by the Canadian government as an administrative assistant to the Consul General of Canada in Boston She ...