The Complete Brief
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February 27, 2026
Court upholds dismissal of trademarks for confusion with Hershey’s Kisses
The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a chocolate company’s appeal arguing that SWISSKISS trademarks it sought to register would not be confused with Hershey’s Kisses.
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February 27, 2026
The risks of endorsements: Ambiguity of policy in Emond v. Trillium Mutual Insurance Co.
In part one (The risks of endorsements: Emond v. Trillium Mutual Insurance Co.), we discussed the background of the coverage dispute in Emond v. Trillium Mutual Insurance Co., 2026 SCC 3, and identified and analyzed the dissenting finding of Justice Andromache Karakatsanis and Justice Suzanne Côté that the policy was ambiguous. In part two we continue the discussion of Justices Karakatsanis and Côté’s finding.
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February 27, 2026
Nova Scotia proposes list of changes to child protection laws
Nova Scotia is proposing new child welfare legislation that would outlaw the use of social media to identify a child involved in a court proceeding, extend publication bans beyond the end of a court case and widen the pool of those to be entered into the province’s child abuse register.
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February 27, 2026
Top judge, bar leaders call on profession to intensify defence of judicial independence, rule of law
To defend against the rising attacks on the rule of law in Canada, members of the bar and bench must step up their efforts to support judicial independence and counter misinformation and political interference with the courts, say Canada’s top judge and bar leaders.
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February 27, 2026
Are the AFCC Parenting Guidelines now law in Ontario?
In Tremblay-Chartier v. Blanchette, 2025 ONSC 6273, a three-judge panel of the Ontario Divisional Court comprised of Justices Nancy Backhouse, Richard Lococo and Sharon Shore considered an appeal by a mother granting the father equal parenting time with their 15-month-old child on a week-about basis.
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February 27, 2026
Feds launch consultations to strengthen Canada’s automotive remission framework
On Feb. 27, the federal government launched consultations on “potential ways to strengthen Canada’s automotive remission framework by further incentivizing companies to produce and invest in Canada, ensuring Canada remains a global powerhouse for automotive manufacturing.”
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February 27, 2026
Ontario court enforces settlement despite unexecuted release
In Stribling v. Starbucks Coffee Canada Inc., 2026 ONSC 1030, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice confirmed that employers and employees can form a legally binding agreement even where the agreement provides that a full and final release will be executed later. The decision illustrates that once the essential terms of a settlement are clearly set out and accepted, courts will hold the parties to those terms.
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February 27, 2026
Loosening negotiation jams: Considered use of apologies in mediation
“I’m really sorry that you are overly sensitive and therefore were hurt by what I said.”
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February 27, 2026
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY - Committal for trial or discharge
Appeal by Steinwand from Chambers decision quashing her discharge on several offences and ordering committal on those charges following a preliminary inquiry. After a traffic stop, Steinwand and others were charged with drug and firearm offences.
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February 26, 2026
Ottawa tables $502.8B Main Estimates for 2026-27 with higher defence, debt spending
The federal government has tabled the Main Estimates 2026-27 in the House of Commons, outlining $502.8 billion in planned budgetary spending for the upcoming fiscal year, including $230.4 billion yet to be approved by Parliament.