Supreme Court upholds 6-month mandatory minimum for soliciting or obtaining sex with children
Supreme Court of Canada Justices Suzanne Côté (left) and Michelle O’Bonsawin described the ‘sexual commodification of children’ as ‘a veritable scourge in Canada, one that the state has every interest in suppressing and severely punishing.’
Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 5:19 PM
The Supreme Court of Canada has affirmed 7-2 the constitutional validity of the mandatory minimum penalty (MMP) of six months’ incarceration for those who pay to obtain — or communicate to buy — sex with persons under age 18. On July 10, Justices Suzanne Côté and Michelle O’Bonsawin, in joint reasons for the majority, allowed the appeal of the Attorney General of Quebec and set aside the Quebec Court of Appeal’s 2024 decision that struck down s. 286.1(2)(a) of the Criminal Code as a violation of the Charter’s s. 12 prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment: Quebec (Attorney General) v. Denis, 2026 SCC 25. ... [read more]
Ontario court says insurability rule has no time limit
Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 4:15 PM
Ontario’s top court has ruled that a section of the provincial Insurance Act that allows insurers to deny coverage due to changes in a person’s circumstances is not time-limited. ... [read more]
Court rejects extension to opt out of medical negligence class action
Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 4:12 PM
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has dismissed a motion to extend an opt-out deadline in a national class action concerning contaminated heart-surgery devices, finding the defendants would be prejudiced after negotiating a settlement in principle. This was despite the class member’s injuries and acting in good faith. ... [read more]
Many trial judges overworked and stressed — but not as much as lawyers: new national survey
Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 3:08 PM
Many federally appointed trial judges report stress from excessive workloads, limited control over their time in the workplace and too few support resources, according to a new national survey of judges’ physical and psychological health. On July 9, the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC) reported on extensive research commissioned from the Université de Sherbrooke between 2024 and 2026 by the council of 44 chief and associate chief justices. ... [read more]
New guidance for financial reporting entities on submitting codes of practice: privacy commissioner
Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 12:42 PM
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has issued guidance on “submitting codes of practice for sharing personal information as part of efforts to detect or deter money laundering, terrorist activity financing and sanctions evasion.” ... [read more]