The Complete Brief
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January 27, 2026
Estate law: The benefits of a power of appointment
Broadly speaking, a power of appointment is a valuable estate planning tool that is frequently conferred on a person, including an executor, and the trustee and/or beneficiary of a testamentary or inter vivos trust (the “donee”), in relation to the disposition of assets including a trust fund.
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January 27, 2026
Aird & Berlis adds 9 new partners
Nine people have become partners at Aird & Berlis. According to a statement from the firm, they are:
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January 27, 2026
Misconduct, not retaliation: Court upholds OLRB decision on employee’s social media posts
Terminations following employee complaints often attract close scrutiny from courts and labour tribunals. Important questions arise: was the employer action against the complainant justified or was it a reprisal for the decision to file the complaint? And is the employee using the complaint process to gain an advantage in litigation?
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January 27, 2026
Brad Newby named managing partner of Osler’s Vancouver office
Brad Newby has taken on the role of managing partner of Osler’s Vancouver office.
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January 27, 2026
Obscenity, the 2026 version, part two
Here are the six obscenity prosecutions for consideration.
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January 27, 2026
Lawyers cruising for a bruising
Back when I was still willing to set foot in the United States, I booked a cruise from L.A. to Dubai. But then war broke out in the Middle East, and the cruise line eliminated several ports from the itinerary, shortened my cruise by six days, and dropped me off in Cape Town.
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January 27, 2026
REGULATION OF PROFESSION - Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Law firms - Limited liability partnerships
Appeal by O’Donnell and Pel from chambers judge’s order dismissing their application to declare sections of the Legal Profession Act unconstitutional. O’Donnell and Pel, who were Ontario and Alberta lawyers, sought to practise in Alberta through their Ontario professional corporation.
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January 26, 2026
CBSA announces 2025 achievements in border security, public safety
As Jan. 26 marks International Customs Day, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is highlighting the work it did in 2025 to match this year’s theme of “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”
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January 26, 2026
B.C. appoints 3 provincial court judges
The British Columbia government has appointed Micah Rankin, Charles Hutchinson and Jodi Michaels as judges of the Provincial Court of B.C., according to the province.
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January 26, 2026
Stikeman Elliott adds 5 partners
Stikeman Elliott has welcomed five lawyers to its partnership, according to the firm.