Criminal
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September 26, 2025
Ottawa introduces bill to remove CAF jurisdiction over sexual offences, enhance military justice
National Defence Minister David McGuinty has introduced legislation that would remove the Canadian Armed Forces’ jurisdiction over the investigation and prosecution of Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada, according to a release.
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September 26, 2025
Ontario opening of the courts ceremony highlights digitization, reform of Rules of Civil Procedure
On Sept. 25, judges, attorneys general, leaders of law associations and others met for Ontario’s opening of the courts ceremony, discussing various strategies that have been and will be undertaken to improve access to justice. This included digitization and reformation of the Rules of Civil Procedure.
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September 26, 2025
Appeals - Insufficient reasons - Powers of appellate court - To receive new evidence
Appeal by Crown from a judgment of the Alberta Court of Appeal which varied Sheppard’s sentence. Motion by Sheppard to adduce new evidence. Sheppard was found guilty by a jury of sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and sexual assault.
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September 26, 2025
Landmark Canadian cryptocurrency platform takedown: A look at the other side of digital coin
The RCMP’s recent seizure of the controversial cryptocurrency exchange TradeOgre, alongside over $56 million in crypto assets, marks a watershed moment in Canadian digital finance regulation and risk management. As authorities pat themselves on the back for this law enforcement success story, the operation also sparks uncomfortable debate about due process, the collateral damage to non-criminal users and the regulatory minefield that risk managers in the digital asset sector must navigate.
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September 25, 2025
Attention politicians: Bail reform must be constitutionally sound
A Cobourg, Ont., police constable was hospitalized after coming into contact with fentanyl during an attempt to arrest a 33-year-old woman in a municipal park. The officer was released from the hospital the following day, but Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf used the incident to call for tougher laws.
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September 25, 2025
CONTROLLED DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES - Possession - Selling, trafficking and distributing
Appeal by appellant from convictions and sentencing in four trafficking-related offences. The officers conducted the strip search in a private room about eight hours after police found the evidence at issue.
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September 24, 2025
Ontario bail reform suggestions ‘political theatre at best,’ lawyer says
As Ottawa moves toward reform of Canada’s bail system, members of the legal and civil liberties communities are raising concerns about a recent open letter from the Ontario government calling for more mandatory minimum sentencing for serious crimes and a “three-strikes” rule denying bail for repeat offenders.
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September 24, 2025
Ruling highlights importance of considering reasons for criminal behaviour
In my latest book, Acts of Darkness, I highlight a theme that runs through our criminal justice system: an undue concentration on what was done that requires punishment, with little attention to why it was done. Fortunately, that focus appears to be shifting. An example of this new approach to sentencing is shown in the case of R. v. Kaiser, 2025 NSCA 56.
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September 23, 2025
Feds to launch gun compensation program via Nova Scotia pilot
Canada’s government is launching a pilot program in Nova Scotia as part of rolling out its amnesty buyback initiative for “assault-style” guns deemed illegal for people to possess.
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September 23, 2025
Quebec Appeal Court rules conditional discharge may be granted in sexual assault cases
An aspiring real estate agent found guilty of sexually assaulting his ex-partner has had his eight-month imprisonment sentence to be served in the community overturned by the Quebec Court of Appeal after it ruled that a conditional discharge, while a rare measure for sexual assault, may be granted when the circumstances warrant it.