Criminal
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February 10, 2026
Federal listing of plastic manufactured items as ‘toxic’ may soon land on top court’s steps
The Federal Court of Appeal’s recent judgment that Ottawa reasonably added plastic manufactured items to the federal list of “toxic” substances in Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), enabling the regulation of single-use plastics under s. 93 of the Act, may soon head to the Supreme Court of Canada.
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February 10, 2026
Newfoundland Court of Appeal finds errors in lawyer’s acquittal, orders retrial
From 1989 to 2021, Robert Regular’s name appeared frequently in Newfoundland newspapers. In July 2021, Regular sought a publication ban on his name before the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, arguing that he was a “prominent lawyer” with a career spanning more than three decades and a thriving practice that included several employees and associate lawyers. He said that having his name publicized would have significant professional, social and emotional impacts, especially since some allegations involved a minor.
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February 10, 2026
Ontario lawyers could learn a lesson from Alberta Law Foundation’s funding dilemma
Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey could learn a thing or two about stretching a dollar from his Alberta compatriot, Mickey Amery. Progressive Ontario lawyers, meanwhile, may soon have to put their money where their mouth is on hard questions of justice funding, economic reality and what it truly means for civil society organizations to operate at arm’s length from government.
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February 10, 2026
APPEALS - Grounds - Insufficient reasons - Mixed question of law and fact
Appeal by Stuart from sexual assault convictions. The appellant was convicted of sexual assault and criminal harassment. The charge for sexual assault arose from an incident which, after having stayed overnight at the appellant’s home, the complainant awoke to find the appellant pulling her underwear off.
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February 09, 2026
Policing inspector orders probe after Toronto police officer arrests
Ontario’s inspector general of policing is launching a province-wide inspection of police integrity and anti-corruption practices after seven Toronto Police Service officers were arrested in a seven-month-long organized crime and corruption investigation.
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February 09, 2026
Parole hearing spotlights need to recognize reality of con code and rethink incarceration
Lawyers and professionals who work with inmates in penitentiaries have long been aware of an unwritten set of rules that, if broken, carries the death penalty. That set of rules is quickly learned by new arrivals at jails across Canada and is referred to as the “inmate code” or, more frequently, the “con code.” A news report published in the Toronto Star on Feb. 6, 2026, reminds the public that serving a prison sentence is far harsher than being locked away from society.
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February 06, 2026
Lawyers charged with crimes may claim ‘innocence at stake’ to pierce solicitor-client privilege: SCC
The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld 7-2 the acquittal of a Saskatchewan criminal defence counsel charged with attempting to obstruct justice, ruling for the first time that lawyers charged with a crime may invoke the “innocence at stake” exception to solicitor‑client privilege to seek access to their client’s privileged communications for use in their own defence.
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February 06, 2026
B.C. appoints 12 new sheriffs to provincial courthouses
B.C. has announced that 12 new sheriffs will be posted to provincial courthouses in communities across the province.
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February 06, 2026
B.C. launches free platform for virtual court services help
B.C. has introduced a new centralized virtual counter service for people to receive free help and advice in navigating the court system from anywhere in the province.
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February 06, 2026
EVIDENCE - Admissibility - Private communications - Inadmissible interceptions - Privileged communications
Appeal by the Crown from a judgment of the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal which affirmed the acquittal of Fox. Fox was a criminal defence lawyer whose client was the subject of wiretap authorization.