Criminal
-
November 20, 2025
Serena Tobaccojuice's case puts correctional system on trial
Serena Tobaccojuice, a 43-year-old Cree woman and one of Canada’s longest-serving female inmates, awaits sentencing in Nova Scotia for unlawfully confining two correctional officers in 2022. Although she wielded bent tweezers and blocked a doorway for 18 minutes, the officers were unharmed. Originally charged with hostage-taking, she pleaded guilty to the lesser offence.
-
November 20, 2025
Young persons and the self-contained bail regime under the Youth Criminal Justice Act
The goal of this article is three-fold: to reflect on my non-profit work experience working with children and youth, share limited relevant information about the self-contained bail regime of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, S.C. 2002, c. 1 (YCJA), and briefly discuss how the proposed bail reform may affect youth bail hearings. As this goal is rather ambitious, I would only be able to scratch the surface of the last item. I leave the invitation to other counsel to contribute to this important discussion.
-
November 20, 2025
‘Frustration’ with lack of prison reforms: Correctional investigator resigns
The correctional investigator is not the only one frustrated with the lack of prison reforms. The auditor general, senators, prison lawyers and all of us who speak with federal prisoners share that view. The failure to respect the rule of law, the Charter, the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) and human decency is common. Passive and active resistance to recommended reforms is the norm.
-
November 19, 2025
N.S. to have ‘compliance’ officers in seafood industry
Nova Scotia has a new “compliance unit” to police the province’s billion-dollar seafood sector. According to a Nov. 17 news release, the unit will include four inspectors — their mission is to crack down on “illegal activities in the fish buying and processing sector.” They will be “responsible for monitoring, inspecting and investigating regulatory compliance and acting on offences.”
-
November 19, 2025
Self-defence for lawyers, part three
It’s Friday, shortly after 5 p.m. at a small, nondescript law office. You have gathered some court briefs to review at home over the weekend and lock the office door without a quick scan before proceeding through a darkened parking lot to your car. Your strong hand is pulling a wheeled file case, and the other is tasked with getting your car keys when suddenly, you hear someone screaming expletives.
-
November 19, 2025
APPEALS - Grounds - Question of law - Right of - By Crown
Appeal by Crown against manslaughter acquittal. Stalthanee was charged with manslaughter in the death of Mr. Cook. The trial judge concluded that Stalthanee struck Mr. Cook on the head with a metal object while they were both intoxicated, thereby causing a depressed skull fracture.
-
November 19, 2025
Speeding ticket victory in Saskatchewan Court of Appeal
In most routine speeding ticket trials, expert evidence is not called, either by the Crown or the defence.
-
November 18, 2025
Ontario to hold impaired drivers accountable for child support if they kill a parent
The Government of Ontario is creating new measures that would “require impaired drivers to pay ongoing child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian.”
-
November 18, 2025
Alexandre-Philippe Avard appointed to Quebec Superior Court
Alexandre-Philippe Avard, a partner at Dentons, has been appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec for the district of Montreal.
-
November 18, 2025
B.C. appoints 6 new judges
The federal Department of Justice has announced the appointment of six new judges to British Columbia courts.