Criminal
-
July 18, 2025
Navigating AI in legal practice: Responsibilities, risks and realities, part two
We all know that AI has many upsides, and it’s taking the legal profession by storm. We also know that it must be used with caution. In the first segment of this three-part series, we took a look at some key initial concerns that can arise in connection with lawyers’ use of AI in their legal practices. These touched on legal ethics and potential bias, and how using AI can impact a lawyer’s professional responsibility obligations.
-
July 18, 2025
Relational vs. transactional: Why Canada continues to fail at implementing Indigenous rights
There is a fundamental difference in worldview that continues to undermine the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Crown in Canada — a difference that can be summarized as relational versus transactional. This tension lies at the heart of the ongoing failure to fully implement treaties, recognize Indigenous legal orders, or give meaningful effect to constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights.
-
July 18, 2025
SENTENCING - Offences tending to corrupt morals - Child pornography
Appeal by Terwilligar from convictions for offences relating to child luring and making child pornography and appeal from eight‑year prohibition order under s. 161 of Criminal Code.
-
July 18, 2025
The long arm of the law: Canadian court orders offshore gambling site to block Manitoba users
In a wake-up call for digital platforms offering online gaming services to Canadian consumers, a provincial court in Manitoba has issued a decision blocking a service provider for violating Canadian gambling laws.
-
July 18, 2025
Dangerous driving case illustrates how court of law eclipses court of public opinion
What’s the difference between a court of law and the court of public opinion? Public opinion focuses on the status of the offender and the victim, whereas trial and appeal courts look to the correct application of the law. An interesting example is the decision in R. v. Lojovic, 2025 ONCA 319. The background of the parties was not discussed in the judgment, but played a significant role in the press coverage.
-
July 17, 2025
Manitoba further expands electronic monitoring program
Manitoba is again expanding its electronic monitoring program in an effort to keep better track of those out on bail. According to a July 17 news release, the province is investing an additional $1.2 million into the program this year, and adding up to 100 more ankle monitors “to track offenders released on bail.”
-
July 17, 2025
Wide-open-door policy ‘is not how we roll,’ Federal Court of Appeal judge tells would-be interveners
The Federal Court of Appeal’s senior puisne judge says those applying to intervene at the national intermediate appellate court should ask themselves whether their presence “will advance our work.”
-
July 17, 2025
DEFENCES - Intoxication - Provocation
Appeal by Saunders from conviction for second-degree murder. Saunders maintained that he should have been convicted of manslaughter.
-
July 17, 2025
Teen language, a.k.a. sociolect, plays key role in Alberta Court of Appeal decision
A sociolect is a form of language used by a specific social group, such as teenagers. Teenagers often create and adopt slang or code words to establish their identity and distinguish themselves from adults or authority figures. The Alberta Court of Appeal was asked to interpret a sociolect used in a courtroom before a jury in its recent decision in R. v. Cervantes, [2025] A.J. No. 522, when Enrike Jose Cervantes and Chngkouth John Makuag challenged their sexual assault convictions.
-
July 16, 2025
N.S. renews funding deal with feds to help families of missing, murdered Indigenous people
Nova Scotia has renewed a partnership with the federal government ensuring “more families of missing and murdered Indigenous people” receive support.