Access to Justice
-
November 03, 2025
Ontario pledges over $26M for shelters, family court support workers
The Ontario government is making a $26.7-million investment to protect survivors of gender-based violence.
-
November 03, 2025
Quebec justice system in crisis
Quebec’s beleaguered justice system, already reeling under the weight of chronic underfinancing and an acute personnel shortage, is showing “alarming signs” of a gradual paralysis, prompting the province’s main legal players to call on the provincial government to put a halt to belt-tightening measures.
-
November 03, 2025
When a lawyer’s hat draws fire
The fight for our basic freedoms also happens outside our courtrooms. What began as a casual breakfast gathering of local men at a downtown Cobourg, Ont., restaurant turned tense when some members of the group objected to a baseball cap worn by the newest member. The faded red cap displayed the slogan “Make America Great Again.” The cap was on the head of Cobourg criminal lawyer Colin Browne, the only Black man present at the meeting.
-
October 31, 2025
B.C. Court of Appeal decides error by trial judge means harsher sentence
In British Columbia, it is well established that a sentence for sexual assault against adults must reflect society’s current understanding of the serious harm and wrongfulness of sexual violence.
-
October 30, 2025
Court slashes lawyers’ $510M contingency fee in $10B Robinson Huron settlement to $40M
The Ontario Superior Court has slashed legal fees for the lawyers who obtained a $10-billion settlement for certain First Nations under the Robinson Huron treaty, reducing their compensation from $510 million to $40 million.
-
October 30, 2025
Exclusive: Chief Justice Crampton reflects on Federal Court’s successes and ongoing challenges
As he steps down today from the diversified and expert bench he’s recruited over the past 14 years, Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton says he’s confident about the national trial court’s future, even though the full implementation of the court’s “digital shift” awaits the necessary funding from Ottawa.
-
October 29, 2025
Commons committee invites public input on improving peace bonds, recognizance orders
A House of Commons committee is soliciting submissions by Nov. 28 to inform its new study of how the safety of women and children is affected by Canada’s bail and sentencing regimes, and how Criminal Code s. 810 (recognizance orders or peace bonds) can be improved to help keep women and children safe.
-
October 29, 2025
Sentence will result in deportation, pitting proportionality against public safety
A penitentiary inmate will be denied parole if there is a legitimate concern that the inmate may pose a danger to society. According to the Parole Board of Canada, when a parolee is subject to deportation, society includes populations outside Canada.
-
October 28, 2025
CJ Crampton says Federal Court ‘won’t hesitate’ to impose costs on lawyers for undisclosed GenAI use
Counsel who “thumb their noses” at the Federal Court’s requirement to disclose any and all generative AI they used to create court filings will find that the national trial court “won’t hesitate” to ding them with personal costs or initiate contempt proceedings, warns Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton.
-
October 28, 2025
Bill C-223 and parental alienation: Trust the judges, not the politicians
Bill C-223, recently introduced as a private member’s bill by backbench Liberal MP Lisa Hepfner, would substantially amend the parenting provisions of the Divorce Act, and in our view harm the interests of children and parents.