August 06, 2026
The Ontario land titles registry was designed to promote certainty and reliability in real estate transactions. A potential buyer is generally entitled to rely on what is reflected in the registered title (known as the “mirror principle”) and, unless they have notice of competing claims, they should be able to acquire title without investigating past dealings or private disputes that may exist behind the registered ownership (known as the “curtain principle”).
August 06, 2026
A complex and challenging area of law is the intersection of trust law and family law. Ontario law, in contrast to many other common law jurisdictions, has given liberal treatment of a discretionary interest in a trust as property, which can be subject to equalization under our family law legislation. See our prior articles on this subject: Property division and discretionary trusts: Half of nothing is still nothing; and Heads Up: Grappling with Family Law’s Treatment of Discretionary Trust Interests.
August 05, 2026
Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner Anton Boegman has issued guidance about when “licensed legal professionals” are required to register their work for foreign principals as “influence activities” in the new public foreign influence registry. The new commissioner issued five interpretation bulletins — including one specifically for lawyers — to give guidance on how to comply with the obligations under the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) and its regulations, which came into force Aug. 4.
August 05, 2026
After years of watching perfectly rational adults succumb to what can only be described as a collective delusion, it’s time someone called out the elephant in the room — the one wearing a designer gown and posing for a photographer who costs more per hour than most people earn in a week. We need to talk about marriage.
August 05, 2026
Appeal by appellant from an order dismissing his application to reduce spousal support payable under a separation agreement. The parties separated after a long marriage during which the appellant was the primary income earner and the respondent was a stay-at-home parent.
August 04, 2026
Justice C. LouAnn Chiasson has retired from the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia after a 34-year legal career, including 11 years with the court’s Family Division. According to the province, Chiasson’s retirement took effect Aug. 1, 2026.
August 04, 2026
Winnipeg MP Leah Gazan has called on the federal government to repeal a provision of the Income Tax Act that ties eligibility for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to a parent’s immigration status.
August 04, 2026
Nova Scotia’s provincial court is beginning work on an electronic filing and digital document management system for those frequenting the court. According to a recent news release, work on the court’s “digital transformation” will start immediately.
August 04, 2026
Rules of professional conduct are an important tool in regulating the ethical conduct of professionals and protecting the public. A professional who chooses to not abide by the rules of their respective profession can face severe sanction, including the revocation of their licence. In the legal profession, the continued misuse of generative artificial intelligence to conduct legal research and assist in the drafting of factums or legal briefs has caused courts worldwide to impose costs sanctions against offending lawyers and to refer them for discipline to their respective regulatory body.
July 31, 2026
Alright, let’s get uncomfortable. Because frankly, after years of watching perfectly rational adults succumb to what can only be described as a collective delusion, it’s time someone called out the elephant in the room — the one wearing a designer gown, clutching a five-figure floral arrangement and posing for a photographer who costs more per hour than most people earn in a week. We need to talk about marriage.