Family
-
October 16, 2025
Alienated parents have one more remedy
In the emotionally charged aftermath of separation and divorce, few issues are as devastating as the severance of a parent-child bond. In cases where a child has no contact with a parent following the ending of their parents’ relationship, terms often used to describe the situation are parental alienation, child estrangement or severance of the parent-child bond. While these terms may differ in tone and implication, they all point to a common and painful reality: a once-existing relationship between a parent and child has been lost.
-
October 15, 2025
Ontario courts launch new digital filing platform for civil, family cases in Toronto
Ontario’s trial courts have launched a new digital transformation initiative for the Toronto region.
-
October 15, 2025
Removal, oversight and accountability of attorneys in Ontario
When a person loses the ability to manage their finances or personal care, a power of attorney can become a powerful tool. It allows someone — the attorney — to step into the grantor’s shoes and make critical decisions about their property, health and daily life. But with power comes responsibility, and sometimes, abuse.
-
October 14, 2025
Privacy regulators discuss AI, cybersecurity and data risks in annual meeting
Federal, provincial and territorial information and privacy commissioners, along with ombudspersons responsible for access and privacy laws, concluded their two-day meeting in Banff focusing on emerging issues including cybersecurity risks, protection of children online and the use of AI in tribunals, the legal practice and health care.
-
October 14, 2025
New housing projects for victims of interpersonal violence coming to Saskatchewan
In a bid to increase support for victims of interpersonal violence, the governments of Saskatchewan and Canada have opened two new affordable housing projects in the city of Prince Albert.
-
October 10, 2025
SCC clarifies when Quebec 10-year ‘extinctive prescription’ period reboots for collecting on judgments
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled 9-0 in a Quebec appeal that filing and serving a notice to seize property counts as a judicial application interrupting the 10-year deadline to collect payment on a judgment — thereby restarting for a further 10 years the “extinctive prescription” period (comparable to a limitation period in the common law provinces) that applies to rights resulting from most money judgments under art. 2924 of the Civil Code of Québec.
-
October 10, 2025
Budget 2025 to automate tax benefits, expand school food program
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced measures from the upcoming federal budget to lower costs for Canadians, including automating federal benefits, making the school food program permanent and renewing the Canada Strong Pass.
-
October 10, 2025
Future capital gains tax may assist parties when equalizing or dividing family assets on separation
No one likes income tax. However, in the context of family law property division and equalization, future capital gains tax may work to the advantage of a spouse. The British Columbia Court of Appeal decision Dignard v. Dignard, 2025 BCCA 43 highlights an important and frequently arising issue in family law: how courts account for potential future tax liabilities, in this case capital gains tax, when dividing or equalizing family property.
-
October 10, 2025
Marineland belugas deserve legal protection, not posturing and politics
In 2019, Canada enacted groundbreaking federal law banning the capture and breeding of whales, dolphins and porpoises for entertainment, the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, also known as the “Free Willy” bill, whereby Canadian facilities are not allowed to hold, breed or import whales and dolphins.
-
October 09, 2025
The horrors of homemade wills: When good intentions go bad
It’s a story estate lawyers know all too well: someone decides to “save a few bucks” by writing their own will — only for the family to end up spending thousands in legal fees after their death. While homemade wills might seem like a simple solution, the reality is far more complicated. The law sets out strict requirements for how a will must be made, and even the smallest misstep can leave your loved ones in legal limbo.