The Complete Brief
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October 21, 2025
Alberta legislature targets economy, safety in fall session
Alberta’s fall legislative session begins this week, and the government is promising a focus on the economy while also tackling issues related to public safety and labour mobility.
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October 21, 2025
Meet Marta, the ideal law firm partner
Back when I was attending Vanier College in Montreal, I met a girl named Marta who was quite beautiful. I could see myself dating someone like Marta, so I tried to get to know her. I was very happy when Marta told me she thought I was a nice guy, she liked me a whole bunch, and she cared very deeply about me.
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October 21, 2025
Trademark confusion and nature of the parties’ goods and business and trade
The Federal Court considered whether the Trademarks Opposition Board was wrong to find that the nearly identical trademarks CHEFS-OWN for bean sprouts and CHEF’S OWN for sauces and seasonings could coexist because the channels of trade and the nature of the goods were sufficiently dissimilar that confusion was unlikely?
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October 21, 2025
Rental, lease agreements must be in writing to qualify for COVID-19 Canada Emergency Rent
In Hutchings v. Canada, 2025 TCC 108, the Tax Court of Canada reaffirmed a core statutory principle: in the context of the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS), rent must be “paid under a written lease” to qualify. Even long-standing verbal arrangements, supported by consistent rent payments, were held insufficient to satisfy the strict requirements of the Income Tax Act.
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October 21, 2025
Ontario introduces Building a More Competitive Economy Act to streamline regulatory processes
On Oct. 20, Ontario introduced the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, which would, if passed, “protect and strengthen the province’s economy by streamlining regulatory processes, championing local businesses, advancing labour mobility and increasing competitiveness.”
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October 21, 2025
Parliamentary privilege, Indigenous sentencing, spoliation among highlights of SCC’s fall session
The Supreme Court of Canada’s busy and diverse fall session includes weighty constitutional, criminal and Aboriginal law appeals that have attracted the participation of dozens of interveners. By the time the top court’s fall session ends on Dec. 12, 2025, the court will have heard some 20 cases, split between civil and criminal appeals.
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October 21, 2025
When one sentencing objective trumps others
Some critics of our criminal justice system argue that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms functions like a “get out of jail free” card. However, the fact that someone’s Charter rights have been violated does not automatically lead to an acquittal if charges are laid and pursued. The case of Shaun Brabant illustrates this point.
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October 21, 2025
CIVIL LIABILITY - Actions by Commission
Appeal by appellants from decision of chambers judge. A panel of the British Columbia Securities Commission ordered Earle Pasquill to pay $36.7 million arising from a fraud he perpetrated with others contrary to the Securities Act.
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October 20, 2025
Feds announce new Financial Crimes Agency to lead anti-fraud strategy
The federal government has announced plans to create a new Financial Crimes Agency to lead a new National Anti-Fraud Strategy set to be unveiled in the fall budget, according to a release issued on Oct. 20.
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October 20, 2025
Feds seek feedback from Canadians and suppliers on Buy Canadian policy
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has announced it is going ahead with a new Buy Canadian policy that aims to ensure federal spending supports economic growth, strengthens supply chains and creates opportunities for businesses. It is now seeking feedback on the policy.