The Complete Brief
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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.
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February 26, 2026
Manitoba increases venture capital tax credit to $30M
The Manitoba government is increasing its Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit to $30 million from $22 million to stimulate private investment and speed up growth of early-stage and scaling companies.
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February 26, 2026
Court allows appeal in uncertain covenant case concerning abuse of process doctrine
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal in a case claiming uncertain covenants for units in a building, finding that the chambers judge did not adequately engage the abuse of process doctrine for relitigation.
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February 26, 2026
The risks of endorsements: Emond v. Trillium Mutual Insurance Co.
In its 7-1-1 decision in Emond v. Trillium Mutual Insurance Co., 2026 SCC 3 (Emond), the Supreme Court of Canada found that a homeowners’ insurance policy with an included guaranteed rebuilding cost endorsement did not cover the full costs of complying with updated regulatory requirements because those costs were clearly limited in the body of the policy.
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February 26, 2026
Leeza Pece named partner at Jones Kopp
The Toronto-based Jones Kopp Litigation has named Leeza Pece as its newest partner.
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February 26, 2026
Langlois adds Séléna Flores-Desrochers to labour team
Séléna Flores-Desrochers has joined Langlois’ labour and employment law group in Quebec City, the firm has announced.
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February 26, 2026
The politics of parental alienation
Why is everything we do politicalized? Family law is on the cusp of social change, and we have seen many positive developments as a result of meaningful debate. However, I object to the latest attempt to politicalize a frequent issue arising in family law matters by the introduction of a private member’s bill in the House of Commons to banish parental alienation as a matter to be considered in high-conflict parenting disputes.