The Complete Brief
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January 29, 2026
Gutless partners tell HR to fire lawyer
I recently met with a law firm associate of a recent vintage whose employment was terminated after a short tenure at her firm. She has no idea why she was fired, for the simple reason that the firm has not told her. She had received no complaints about her work and had even been given a few compliments. In the legal world, that is just about a ringing endorsement.
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January 29, 2026
Balancing transparency, privacy in municipal governance: Analysis of the Planning Act and MFIPPA, part two
Transparency and privacy are two core principles of municipal governance. In Ontario, laws regulating municipal activities such as the Municipal Act, 2001, and the Planning Act, require administrators to ensure openness and transparency to foster public participation in governance and municipal activities. The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) imposes obligations to protect personal information. These requirements often create the perception of legal conflict.
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January 29, 2026
CBA president, law society commend Alberta judges’ call for respect, support
Members of the legal profession from across the country are applauding a public statement from Alberta’s three chief justices calling for respect and mutual support among the different branches of government. In a statement posted on the Alberta courts website earlier this week, Chief Justice of the Alberta Court of Justice James Hunter, Court of King’s Bench Chief Justice Kent Davidson and Acting Chief Justice of Alberta Dawn Pentelechuk said “a properly functioning democracy requires three separate branches of government that exercise their power and authority independently according to the Constitution.”
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January 29, 2026
A wake‑up call on Case Center and counsel accountability
The increasing reliance on digital platforms has fundamentally altered the practice of family law in Ontario. Case Center, now mandatory in the Superior Court of Justice, was introduced to promote efficiency, accessibility and clarity in court proceedings. While the platform has delivered on many of those goals, recent jurisprudence confirms that improper use can undermine, rather than enhance, the administration of justice.
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January 29, 2026
Ottawa tables tax measures to hike GST credit, help defray rising costs of food and other basics
The minority Liberal government has introduced Income Tax Act (ITA) amendments implementing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement earlier this week proposing an increase to the GST/HST credit amounts to help Canadians pay for the skyrocketing costs of food and other essentials.
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January 29, 2026
Feds appoint 2 judges to Alberta Court of King's Bench
The federal government has appointed Jason L. Wilkins and Peter D. Banks as judges of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, both sitting in Calgary.
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January 29, 2026
Davies welcomes partner Nikita Stepin to its technology practice
Nikita Stepin has joined Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP as a partner in the firm’s technology group.
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January 29, 2026
Feds reinforce energy and mining partnerships with India
In an effort to diversify trade, the federal government is working on relationships with Asian markets, “seeking long-term, reliable collaboration in energy and critical minerals.”
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January 29, 2026
B.C. Court of Appeal decides procedural issue, bringing 1994 Mr. Big case closer to appeal
A Newfoundland carpet cleaner convicted of murdering his girlfriend in a 1994 shooting death in Richmond, B.C., is one step closer to having his conviction overturned after the British Columbia Court of Appeal outlined procedural issues that must be resolved before a new appeal can proceed (R. v. Skiffington, 2026 BCCA 26).
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January 29, 2026
B.C., Tahltan approve Eskay Creek mine reopening under Declaration Act framework
British Columbia and the Tahltan Nation have jointly agreed to the reopening of the Eskay Creek gold-silver mine near Stewart, B.C., in a move that is expected to eventually create approximately 1,000 construction jobs and more than 770 operational jobs, according to a B.C. government release.