Civil Litigation
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January 30, 2026
SCC gives guidance on interpreting insurance contracts, interplay of endorsements & exclusions
Elaborating on how to interpret insurance contracts, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed 7-2 the appeal of two homeowners who sought to compel their insurer to fully pay for rebuilding their flood-destroyed house, despite an exclusion for “compliance costs” and the ancillary exception that caps the compliance costs payout at $10,000 “for the increased cost of demolition, construction, or repair to comply with any law regulating the zoning, demolition, repair or construction of any insured buildings.”
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January 30, 2026
Federal Court dismisses proposed harassment class action for lack of jurisdiction
The Federal Court has dismissed a proposed negligence class action against an oil and gas company operating on First Nations land, finding it does not have jurisdiction over the claims of sexual harassment, physical assault and other grievances in the federal service context.
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January 30, 2026
Court rebukes Binance for renewed bid to revive barred arbitration in class action
Ontario’s Superior Court rebuked cryptocurrency platform Binance for attempting to revive arbitration against the representative plaintiffs in a certified class action against it, despite repeated rulings barring it from doing so.
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January 30, 2026
Feds giving New Brunswick funding for tenants’ rights program
Canada’s government is supporting a new initiative providing renters in New Brunswick with free legal advice and education in navigating their “housing challenges.”
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January 30, 2026
Is international law really law or just a script the powerful edit at will?
International law likes to enter the room wearing a tailored suit, speaking in solemn tones about order, peace and a rules-based world. It carries binders full of treaties, conventions, charters and resolutions from an era post 1945. It invokes history, morality and the collective will of nations. It sounds authoritative. It looks official. It insists it is law.
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January 30, 2026
Werbeski v. Werbeski: ONCA decision a reminder of principles of property division and child support
There are certain fundamental principles of family law practice in Ontario that are enshrined in the consciousness of family law practitioners. Two of these principles are set out in Werbeski v. Werbeski, 2026 ONSC 57. These are: (i) family property will be equalized between spouses at the time of separation absent unconscionable circumstances as set out in s. 5(6) of the Family Law Act and (ii) parents must pay support for their dependent children; no excuses.
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January 30, 2026
Ontario court orders new law licence review for man who admitted to sexually abusing children
Ontario’s top court has ordered a new law licence assessment for a man who admitted to the sexual abuse of children, saying a fresh look is required to determine whether he is of the “good character” required of a lawyer.
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January 30, 2026
CONDOMINIUMS - Common elements - Common expenses - Declarations - Other elements
Appeal by 1388020 Ontario Corp. (BSA) from an order granting summary judgment in favour of Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corporation No. 1067 (MTCC 1067). This arose from an action over alleged condominium common expense arrears.
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January 29, 2026
Canada, plaintiffs reach proposed settlement in residential school case
A settlement agreement has been reached in a class action relating to Île-à-la-Crosse residential school in Saskatchewan to acknowledge harms done to former students.
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January 29, 2026
Balancing transparency, privacy in municipal governance: Analysis of the Planning Act and MFIPPA, part two
Transparency and privacy are two core principles of municipal governance. In Ontario, laws regulating municipal activities such as the Municipal Act, 2001, and the Planning Act, require administrators to ensure openness and transparency to foster public participation in governance and municipal activities. The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) imposes obligations to protect personal information. These requirements often create the perception of legal conflict.