The Complete Brief
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April 15, 2026
JURISDICTION - Forum conveniens - Stay of proceedings based on forum non conveniens
Appeal by Smiley from a decision staying her civil action against Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation (Foundation) and Kakfwi on the basis of forum non conveniens. Smiley alleged that Kakfwi committed sexual battery against her in St. John’s during a Foundation conference, and she advanced claims against the Foundation for vicarious liability, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and breach of confidence and privacy.
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April 15, 2026
Upholding the deal: Ontario court confirms consent receivership in Peace Bridge
In a recent decision, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice reinforced that courts will uphold a debtor’s consent to a receivership when it forms part of a negotiated arrangement, emphasizing the importance of commercial certainty.
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April 15, 2026
Canada’s polygamy law is creating a legal grey zone for polyamorous families
A couple of times a year, someone comes to our practice with a version of the same situation: three people in a committed, consensual relationship who want to formalize their rights, divide their property fairly and protect themselves if things ever go sideways. They have done the emotional work and had the hard conversations. They just want a legal agreement.
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April 14, 2026
Ottawa suspends excise tax on fuel to ease cost pressures on Canadians
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a temporary suspension of the federal excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel in a bid to reduce the impact of rising fuel prices following the war in Iran.
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April 14, 2026
Ontario to ban uniform charges, proposes new legislation for entertainment industry
Ontario has brought proposed changes to the Employments Standards Act to ban employers from charging employees for required uniforms. It is also proposing the new Strengthening Talent Agency Regulation (STAR) Act to improve transparency and oversight of talent agencies for better protection of performers’ paycheques in the entertainment industry.
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April 14, 2026
Lien discharge provision cannot be used to vacate lien security: Alberta court
The Alberta Court of King’s Bench reinstated security posted for a construction lien, finding that an applications judge erred by vacating it under inapplicable statutory provisions governing liens.
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April 14, 2026
Manitoba top judge talks 2024-25 Appeal Court report
Since taking the judicial helm, Manitoba’s chief justice has taken pains to lower the number of active cases in front of the province’s Court of Appeal — as is demonstrated in its latest annual report. And as the court continues its digital transformation, Chief Justice Marianne Rivoalen also hopes to one day be able to include statistics on the court’s use of remote hearings.
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April 14, 2026
Court dismisses CN’s abuse of process appeal in contamination case
The Ontario Court of Appeal has dismissed CN Rail’s appeal of an abuse of process finding in a case where its land was contaminated with substances from an adjacent property.
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April 14, 2026
Erin Kotz joins Roper Greyell as associate
Roper Greyell has added Erin Kotz as an associate in Vancouver.
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April 14, 2026
Robins Appleby names Eric Miller associate in tax group
Eric Miller has joined Robins Appleby as an associate in its tax group.