The Complete Brief
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March 23, 2026
The rule of law is under threat for business lawyers too
Our background is in business law. Imagine our surprise when our editor suggested that we write about the rule of law, which you might have heard is currently on life support.
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March 23, 2026
Doug Ford on self-defence laws: Yippee ki‐yay, Mr. Premier
By now, we’ve all seen the news coverage surrounding the Vaughan, Ont., homeowner who shot one of three armed home invaders, sending the assailants fleeing like scalded dogs back into a waiting getaway vehicle. York Regional Police later arrested and charged the wounded home invader after he turned up at a Toronto area hospital. York Regional Police declined to charge the homeowner. This led Premier Doug Ford to issue his now infamous “congratulatory” remarks that the homeowner “should have shot him a couple more times.”
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March 23, 2026
N.B. moves to end limitation period for victims of intimate partner violence dependent on assailant
New Brunswick is proposing legislation that would remove the limitation period for civil claims by victims of intimate partner violence who were dependent on their assailant. A March 18 news release notes there is no civil limitation period to file claims for damages in cases of assault or battery “for acts of a sexual nature” or for “trespass to the person.”
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March 23, 2026
Seismic Bill 21 case draws record counsel & intervener presence at this week’s four-day SCC hearing
This week’s blockbuster Bill 21 appeal at the Supreme Court involves 140 counsel of record — with 64 of them slated to make oral argument over four days on behalf of the 10 main party groups and the record 51 interveners.
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March 23, 2026
CRIMINAL CODE OFFENCES - Weapons offences - Possession of prohibited or restricted weapon or ammunition
Appeal by appellant from his conviction for possession of a loaded restricted firearm. Police responded to a complaint about an idling car. When the driver opened the door, a cloud of cannabis smoke escaped, and open packages of cannabis were visible at her feet.
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March 20, 2026
Split SCC revisits implied-licence & ancillary-police-powers doctrines in impaired driving case
Dividing 5-4 to allow the appeal in a Saskatchewan impaired driving case, the Supreme Court of Canada has provided guidance on the scope of common law police powers to warrantlessly investigate suspected crimes at residential private property without violating the Charter’s s. 8 prohibition of unreasonable search or seizure.
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March 20, 2026
National security regime applies to litigant-generated information: Federal Court
The Federal Court has clarified that the national security confidentiality regime under s. 38 of the Canada Evidence Act (CEA) applies to information generated by a private litigant and partially granted a non-disclosure order over documents in a $5-billion fraud case involving a former Saudi official.
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March 20, 2026
Feds extend temporary EI measures to support workers impacted by tariffs
The federal government is extending three temporary employment insurance (EI) measures in an effort to protect workers whose jobs have been impacted by U.S. tariffs.
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March 20, 2026
LSO announces 2026 award recipients
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) will recognize 11 members of Ontario’s legal profession at its annual awards ceremony on May 27, 2026.
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March 20, 2026
Ontario proposes legislative amendments to cap ticket resale prices
The Government of Ontario has proposed amendments to the Ticket Sales Act, 2017 to “combat overpriced ticket resale prices.” According to a government release issued March 20, the new legislative changes would “make it illegal for tickets to concerts, cultural, sports and other live events in Ontario to be resold for more than their original cost.”