Real Estate

  • August 06, 2026

    Alberta creates advisory panel amid record number of surface rights applications

    The Alberta government has announced a new Surface Rights Advisory Panel to recommend improvements to the province’s system for resolving disputes when private land is used for resource development, following a record number of surface rights applications in 2025-26.

  • August 06, 2026

    Ontario decision determines transfer by corporate property owner not a fraudulent instrument

    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 05, 2026

    Solicitor-client-privileged advice not a registerable ‘foreign influence activity’: commissioner

    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

    Court orders new trial as plaintiffs denied opportunity to address unpleaded defences

    The Ontario Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial in a collection action, finding that the trial judge relied on two unpleaded defences to dismiss the case without giving the plaintiffs a meaningful opportunity to respond.

  • August 04, 2026

    Ottawa’s foreign influence registry opens with penalties up to $1M; registration now required

    New legal requirements to register foreign influence activities kicked in today, with the entry into force of the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act and its regulations. On Aug. 4, the federal government stood up its long-awaited public registry of foreign influence activities, implementing an election promise made by the previous Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government.

  • August 04, 2026

    PROCEEDINGS IN CONTRACT - Practice and procedure

    Appeals by developer from orders finding it liable for breach of real estate contracts of purchase and sale. The respondents agreed in 2016 to buy lots in a planned subdivision from the developer. The contracts were later amended by a second addendum which provided that completion would occur 30 days after the City of Abbotsford accepted building permit applications for the properties.

  • July 31, 2026

    Canada’s AI strategy sets the stage for growth, governance and data sovereignty

    Artificial intelligence is reshaping economies, industries and the global competitive landscape at an unprecedented pace. Recognizing both the opportunities and the risks presented by this technological shift, the federal government launched Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All on June 4, 2026.

  • July 31, 2026

    INTERESTS IN LAND - Easements - Creation - In equity - Rights of way

    Appeal by appellants from a decision granting the respondent an easement by way of proprietary estoppel over the appellants’ land for a right of way providing access to a cemetery. The cemetery abutted land owned by the appellants, and since at least 1940 access was a right of way on that land.

  • July 30, 2026

    Privative clause struck down; judicial review for ‘legality’ is constitutionally guaranteed: SCC

    In an administrative law landmark that addresses the scope of the Constitution’s guarantee of judicial review, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled 9-0 that legislatures cannot validly use privative clauses to bar “legality review” by courts — i.e., the availability of curial review is constitutionally guaranteed for all aspects of delegated administrative decisions, including on questions of law, fact or mixed law and fact.

  • July 30, 2026

    Unresolved constructive trust and sale of property: Fournier v. Giannousopoulos

    Constructive trust claims and joint family venture claims are often used in family law matters when, following a breakdown of a relationship, one party has been unjustly enriched at the expense of the other.