The rule of law is a fundamental principle underlying Canadian democracy. The role of the courts is to ensure everyone is accountable to the law and that justice is dispensed equitably. …Environmental advocacy group ForestEthics, now known as stand.earth, launched a legal challenge in 2014 against the National Energy Board’s approval of changes to Line 9, a pipeline that runs between Ontario and Quebec. ForestEthics lost its case… and Enbridge was awarded costs of $14,559. Stand.earth says it refused to pay “on principle.” Whatever principle stand.earth was espousing doesn’t override the requirement to respect a court ruling. …Stand.earth cried poor, accusing Enbridge, which reported earnings of $1.5 billion for the six months ended June 30, of bullying the non-profit whose five staffers sit at desks purchased on Craigslist for $30. However, stand.earth’s U.S. parent recently reported assets of $1.4 million.