The Complete Brief
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December 09, 2025
Court finds Canada owes a duty to First Nations regarding supply of clean drinking water
In a class action proceeding, the Federal Court has recognized a sui generis fiduciary duty owed by Canada to the Shamattawa First Nation, addressing the long-standing issue of inadequate access to safe drinking water on reserves.
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December 09, 2025
Legal problem or leadership problem?
I am going to tell you a story that was told to me by a law firm partner who cannot risk telling it herself.
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December 09, 2025
Ontario Court of Appeal upholds vexatious-litigant order against IP company and officer
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld an order declaring a corporation and its sole officer vexatious litigants, citing years of meritless court proceedings, hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid costs awards and multimillion-dollar lawsuits that ultimately settled for nuisance-level amounts.
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December 09, 2025
Chanel Provost joins Woods’ litigation team
Woods has added Chanel Provost to its team in Montreal, the firm has announced.
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December 09, 2025
Andrew Boyd joins Blakes as partner in tax group
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) has welcomed Andrew Boyd as a partner in its tax controversy and litigation group.
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December 09, 2025
N.S. police could refuse order to crack down on illegal cannabis sales: expert
Nova Scotia has directed police in the province to crack down on illegal sellers of cannabis — but one expert says they may be able to refuse due to government overreach. Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law professor emeritus Wayne MacKay said the recent directive compromises the independence of the police operations and is “pushing the limits a bit of what is appropriate.”
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December 09, 2025
Lost trust: How employee post-incident conduct becomes springboard to just cause
Employers hate when I tell them that instead of firing an employee immediately after suspected misconduct, they should conduct a proper, objective investigation that includes confronting the employee and giving them a chance to provide their version of events. After spending far too much of my life studying summary dismissal, I can confidently say that this step is critical in almost every case if the employer wants to defend a cause termination.
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December 09, 2025
B.C. case highlights differences between ‘con code’ and law’s limited understanding of jail justice
Canadian courts often invoke the Charter of Rights and Freedoms when evaluating the actions of police, prosecutors and trial judges. Section 7, guaranteeing “life, liberty and security of the person,” forms the core of our constitutional framework. However, the protection it offers does not always reach those who need it most.
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December 09, 2025
INTERPRETATION - General principles
Appeal by Young Chul Kim (Mr. Kim) and cross-appeal by Argo Ventures Inc. (Argo) from trial judge’s decision quantifying Mr. Kim’s entitlement under a development financing agreement related to the Olympic Village Project.
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December 09, 2025
Driving this holiday season: Understanding offences of impaired driving and dangerous driving
The holiday season is upon us. Every year, it feels as though everyone is trying to accomplish in one month what they set out to do in a year. The days of our lives and the roads grow busier. Then, factor in the holiday office parties, inclement weather and poor road conditions. Together, it is a recipe for disaster.