Access to Justice
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February 27, 2024
Are lease transfers in Quebec dead, and if they are, so what? | Shayna Wise-Till
Quebec’s new housing bill became law in late February 2024 — but what does that mean for tenants? Are lease transfers dead, and if they are, so what?
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February 27, 2024
Isolation | David Dorson
I have very vivid memories of the day I was sentenced, though it’s now quite a few years ago. I was not in custody at that point but knew I would be after the sentencing, and that it would be for a significant period of time. I had to say goodbye to those who were precious to me, not knowing when I might be able to talk to them again, let alone hold them and be with them. No hugs, no last kiss, just glances full of regret and fear for the future. That’s a tough thing to do. Lots of tears.
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February 26, 2024
Ford slammed by bar for politicizing judge appointments; JPs threaten suit over pay review delays
Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government is garnering sharp criticism from the legal community for further politicizing an appointment process that four years ago was lauded as the “the gold standard for the appointment of an independent and qualified judiciary,” free from partisan considerations.
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February 23, 2024
Federal Court rejects class action funding deal over late disclosure, unacceptable rate of return
The Federal Court has approved a $5.25 million settlement in a class action concerning allegations of price-fixing in the market for farmed Atlantic salmon but denied judicial approval for a $750,000 commission to be paid to a litigation funder out of the settlement fund.
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February 23, 2024
Imperative B.C. government commit to investments which improve access to justice: CBABC president
The Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch (CBABC) is expressing its “deep disappointment” with the recent provincial budget, saying it does not include appropriate provisions for legal aid to help the most vulnerable in the province.
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February 22, 2024
How to fix crisis at Landlord and Tenant Board | Kathy Laird and Voy Stelmaszynski
In part one of this series, we presented the latest data from Tribunals Ontario’s website about the lengthy delays facing landlords and tenants at Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and the backlog of over 53,000 applications. We also put the situation at the LTB in the context of other tribunals that are failing at Tribunals Ontario, including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, where the backlog has more than doubled.
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February 21, 2024
Factors contributing to the LTB crisis at Tribunals Ontario | Kathy Laird and Voy Stelmaszynski
In part one of this series, we presented the most recent data from Tribunals Ontario’s Annual Report and its website about the enormous delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and the backlog of 53,000 plus applications. The available data from Tribunals Ontario is less than complete and is often confusing, misleading or seemingly contradictory.
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February 21, 2024
Feds seek Parliamentary approval to spend $28 million more on legal aid for immigrants & refugees
With the coming two-year anniversary of Russia’s country-wide invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced it is providing Pro Bono Ontario with nearly half a million dollars to help war-displaced Ukrainians with their immigration-related legal problems.
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February 20, 2024
170 lawyers, law students raise concerns about expanding MAID for mental illness | Derek Ross
On Feb. 1, 2024, the federal government introduced Bill C-62 to impose a three-year delay on the expansion of assisted death to those whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness. If the bill does not pass, MAID for mental illness will, under a “sunset clause” contained in a previous bill, be legalized on March 17, 2024.
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February 20, 2024
Nova Scotia opens new grant to aid in ending racism, inequality
Community organizations in Nova Scotia can now apply for a new grant for projects aimed at ending racism and inequity through removing “barriers” in various sectors — including the justice system.