What is the current state of the law on contempt of court?

In United Nurses of Alberta v. Alberta (Attorney General), 1992 CanLII 99 (SCC), [1992] 1 S.C.R. 901 McLachlin, J. (as she then was), for the majority, discussed the nature of criminal contempt and the justification for the preservation of the contempt power: Both civil and criminal contempt of court rest on the power of the court to uphold its dignity and process. The rule of law is at the heart of our society; without it there can be neither peace, nor order nor good government. The rule of law is directly dependent on the ability of the courts to enforce their process and maintain their dignity and respect. To maintain their process and respect, courts since the 12TH century have exercised the power to punish for contempt of court.