July 09, 2026
British Columbia has announced plans to open two new family law clinics to bring more in-person legal services to survivors of family violence. The new clinics, which will support people in Kamloops and Prince George, B.C., are part of the Family Law Centre network, a provincially funded service that provides free, trauma-informed legal support to people experiencing family violence.
July 09, 2026
The term “cooperative federalism” is rarely used nowadays. It is a concept that both federal and provincial lawmakers need not work in “watertight compartments.” Each level of government can enact laws addressing specific problems within its own jurisdiction.
July 08, 2026
Last week, I had a settlement conference scheduled at the Milton, Ont., courthouse on one of my “remaining” litigation files.
July 08, 2026
Prince Edward Island is bringing internet access to those who lack it with portable hotspot devices available through the library — and there is “no reason” they could not be used for virtual court appearances, says a government spokesperson.
July 08, 2026
Sex offender prohibition orders can continue long after an offender re-enters the community. Section 161 of the Criminal Code allows for variance of the terms of such orders. Does the variance of terms allow a change in duration? That question was raised in a recent British Columbia Court of Appeal decision, R. v. S.C.W., 2026 BCCA 180.
July 07, 2026
The federal government has appointed Charlene J. Moore as a judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division) in Sydney.
July 06, 2026
British Columbia’s opioid class actions against manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and consultants will proceed to trial in early 2028 after the B.C. Court of Appeal dismissed the final appeals challenging certification, Attorney General Niki Sharma said in a statement issued July 6.
July 06, 2026
Canada’s government is holding another round of consultations on revamping labour relations policies for workers in federally regulated industries — this time with a focus on grievance arbitration, bad faith bargaining, and strikes and lockouts. In a July 3 news release, Ottawa announced that “additional consultations will take place over the summer” in a bid to further “protect the rights of … workers, including the right to strike.”
July 06, 2026
The Alberta Court of Appeal has delivered a powerful reminder that criminal convictions cannot rest on suspicion alone, acquitting Jatinder Singh after finding that the evidence left too many unanswered questions to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The decision in R. v. Singh, 2026 ABCA 219 held that the trial judge failed to apply the Supreme Court of Canada’s guidance on reasonable inferences in criminal cases.
July 03, 2026
The International Bar Association’s (IBA) recent report marks a meaningful demographic milestone: women now form a majority of the Canadian legal profession. Combined with the historic female majority on the Supreme Court of Canada, it signals progress that deserves recognition.