Access to Justice
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September 11, 2025
Time to embrace change: Civil justice reform
A fair, accessible, efficient and affordable civil justice system is a critical component of any thriving democracy and economy. The civil justice system in Ontario no longer fulfills its important purpose of resolving disputes of behalf of people, businesses and governments in a just and fair way.
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September 11, 2025
Appeal Court dismisses Charter claims in decades-old sex assault case
On Nov. 5, 2021, Raymond Burke was convicted in a Toronto courtroom of multiple offences, including kidnapping, uttering threats, assault and sexual assault against two women (R. v. Burke, 2021 ONSC 7342).
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September 10, 2025
Back to school, back to court? In-person interventions at the Supreme Court
The start of September always brings to mind back-to-school season. Freshly sharpened pencils, the changing of the leaves and cooler temperatures. Could this fall also bring interveners back into the Supreme Court of Canada courthouse?
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September 10, 2025
Four-pronged appeal in aggravated assault case dismissed
Christopher Parker was charged and convicted of aggravated assault for stabbing Ronald Oster in the neck on Nov. 13, 2020, at a supportive housing facility in Victoria. Oster, a harm-reduction worker and drug user, had allowed Parker and his girlfriend to stay in his unit against housing rules but later tried to evict them.
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September 09, 2025
P.E.I. looking to public input on changes to child support recalculation service
Prince Edward Island is looking for residents’ input on possible changes to legislation governing the province’s child support recalculation program.
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September 09, 2025
The benefits of AI in family law online dispute resolution
Family law disputes represent some of the most sensitive and emotionally charged conflicts within the legal system. Unlike many other areas of law, family law cases often involve deep emotional and psychological challenges, which can complicate negotiation and prolong resolution. The high personal stakes and interpersonal dynamics in family disputes necessitate processes that are not only legally sound but also emotionally supportive and efficient.
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September 08, 2025
N.S. judge extols virtues of province’s new bail court
A top judge in Nova Scotia says the province’s new dedicated bail court will produce “long-term benefits” for the criminal justice system.
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September 08, 2025
Appeal Court reduces sentence for man with cognitive challenges, upholds sexual assault conviction
In a case involving sexual interference and assault, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the conviction against Chad Storey but reduced his six-year sentence to four years and three months to reflect the appellant’s cognitive disability in a decision released on Aug. 28.
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September 05, 2025
P.E.I. opens applications for anti-racism grants for 2025-26
Groups such as charities and non-profits in Prince Edward Island can now apply for the next round of anti-racism grants — which will include funding for projects promoting positive relationships between youth and the criminal justice system.
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September 05, 2025
New non-profit targets bias, quick-conviction mindset that leads to wrongful convictions
Canada’s justice system has a problem it prefers not to talk about: wrongful convictions. They are not rare accidents. They are predictable failures — born of tunnel vision, systemic bias and a culture that prizes quick convictions over careful truth-seeking. Each wrongful conviction is not just a legal error; it is a moral catastrophe that destroys lives and undermines faith in the courts.