Criminal
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August 21, 2025
‘Inadequate’ pay deters outstanding jurists from federal bench; $28,000 boost needed: commission
Canada’s 1,198 federally appointed judges should get a substantial lump sum salary increase — $28,000 — as their pay package is no longer enough to attract “outstanding” private bar lawyers to the bench, says the federal Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission, echoing warnings made by federal judicial leaders over the past few years.
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August 21, 2025
How immigration missteps can come back to haunt foreign nationals
There is great speculation and a lot of fear over whether going to the U.S. has become harder under the Trump administration than in previous presidential administrations. While most legal immigration pathways have not changed significantly, there are some immigration missteps that can be — and always have been—problematic for travellers wishing to enter and/or stay short-, medium- or long-term in the U.S. Here are a few of the most common missteps:
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August 21, 2025
Pirating case means jail for business owners, exemplifies pace of civil proceedings
We often hear the complaint that criminal cases take too long to prosecute. Police must obtain evidence, sometimes by convincing a judge that there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe that incriminating material may be found. Only then are the police granted access to complete a search.
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August 20, 2025
Settlement of $59M reached in Ontario correctional facilities lockdowns class actions
A proposed settlement of $59 million has been reached in Ontario class actions relating to lockdowns in correctional facilities due to alleged lack of staff, providing each eligible claimant with between $2,000 and $68,000 in compensation if approved.
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August 20, 2025
Federal Court imposes prison terms for contempt by father and son in IPTV piracy case
The Federal Court has sentenced a father and son, central figures behind an unauthorized IPTV service, to prison terms of at least four and six months, respectively, for contempt of a Federal Court Anton Piller order, with both facing up to nearly five years in prison if they fail to cure their contempt.
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August 20, 2025
Immigration fraud and the need for reform
Canada is known as a welcoming country for immigrants, but there is a serious problem with some unscrupulous immigration consultants who take advantage of people’s trust, hopes and money by committing fraud and engaging in dishonest practices.
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August 19, 2025
Alberta investing $4M to help prevent family violence provincewide
Alberta has announced a multimillion-dollar investment in community-based projects aimed at preventing family violence across the province.
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August 19, 2025
Privacy challenge in DUI blood test case fails to sway Quebec Court of Appeal
Fighting an impaired driving charge can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Obstacles often stem from potential errors in police procedures, faulty breathalyzer readings and alternative explanations for a toxicologist’s report. These issues were highlighted in a recent Quebec Court of Appeal decision (R. v. Chartrand, 2025 QCCA 945).
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August 18, 2025
Appeal court determines self-represented accused capable, dismisses application for counsel
While writing these columns for Law360 Canada, I have found that a significant issue in appeals of conviction is the sufficiency or admissibility of evidence. Difficult questions often arise that challenge even well-trained and experienced lawyers. Is it likely that an intelligent self-represented litigant may also struggle when such evidential issues are central to an appeal? This was the question to be decided in the case of R. v. Moylett, 2025 NLCA 25.
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August 15, 2025
Saskatchewan releases mid-year stats for ‘policing teams’
Saskatchewan has released mid-year results of its provincially-funded “policing teams” — which seized numerous guns and drugs and laid hundreds of charges for offences such as drug dealing and human trafficking.