The Complete Brief
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April 13, 2026
Ontario 2026 budget introduces enhanced HST relief on new homes
On March 26, the province of Ontario introduced its 2026 budget, which proposes a temporary enhancement to the provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) New Housing Rebate and New Residential Rental Property Rebate. The measure is intended to improve housing affordability by increasing the amount of provincial HST relief available on qualifying new home purchases while preserving the existing rebate framework and eligibility rules.
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April 13, 2026
SCC’s new session precedes big moves as Martin J. and judges prep for departures
The Supreme Court of Canada’s spring docket presents the nine judges with a wide range of appeals, including the last cases to be heard by soon-to-retire Justice Sheilah Martin and her colleagues in their iconic 1940s-era Ottawa courthouse, which is slated for a multi-year major update. The Supreme Court’s new spring session, scheduled from April 13 to May 22, 2026, features 14 appeals, 10 of which involve criminal law issues.
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April 13, 2026
Should you make the first offer? Anchoring, aggression and strategy in settlement negotiations
Is it better to make a first offer in negotiations? And what about aggressive first offers — do they set an advantageous anchor or lead to insult and impasse?
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April 13, 2026
CREDITORS AND CLAIMS
Appeal by appellants from an order approving three sale transactions recommended by the court appointed receiver of 720434 N.B. Inc. (720). The Caisse, holding first mortgages over all nine rental properties owned by 720, obtained the receivership order and a court approved Sale and Investment Solicitation Process (SISP).
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April 10, 2026
Yukon government apologizes to students over use of restraints, seclusion at elementary school
The Yukon government has issued a public apology to students and former students of Jack Hulland Elementary School (JHES) in Whitehorse, including those in a specialized behavioural support program who were subjected to holds, restraints and seclusion.
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April 10, 2026
Ontario WSIB expansion leaves 1.5M workers uncovered, CUPE says
Ontario’s recent expansion of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage still leaves more than 1.5 million workers in the province without critical safety protections, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
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April 10, 2026
Osgoode Hall launches new access to justice fund
Toronto’s Osgoode Hall Law School has unveiled a new million-dollar fund to help support access to justice research and students pursuing careers in the area of public interest.
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April 10, 2026
Federal Court bars vexatious litigant over numerous proceedings, AI submissions
The Federal Court has barred a self-represented litigant from starting or continuing proceedings without leave after finding that his repeated complaints, court actions and AI-tainted filings amounted to vexatious conduct.
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April 10, 2026
SCC backs insurer in dispute over Quebec death declaration
In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada has clarified the degree of proof required to establish the “return” of a person declared dead under the Civil Code of Quebec. Under the Code, a court can declare a person dead if they have not been heard from in seven years. Known as a declaratory judgment of death, it allows for settlement of a person’s affairs such as permitting succession and dissolving a marriage.
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April 10, 2026
B.C. court reaffirms narrow scope of arbitration appeals in vaccine-related termination dispute
The B.C. Court of Appeal has upheld an arbitration award in favour of a pediatrician terminated for refusing a COVID-19 vaccination, emphasizing that it lacks jurisdiction to hear appeals raising issues of mixed fact and law under the Arbitration Act.