Tax
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February 27, 2024
Online harms bill would create new hate crimes, duties for social media, stiff fines, imprisonment
The federal government’s proposed Online Harms Act was welcomed by several advocacy groups who rated it a substantial improvement over Ottawa’s proposed blueprint three years ago; however red flags were raised, including questions around new hate crime provisions and penalties; whether the definitions of the targeted online harms are appropriately tailored; and whether a proposed new online regulator’s broad discretionary powers have adequate safeguards.
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February 26, 2024
Ford slammed by bar for politicizing judge appointments; JPs threaten suit over pay review delays
Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government is garnering sharp criticism from the legal community for further politicizing an appointment process that four years ago was lauded as the “the gold standard for the appointment of an independent and qualified judiciary,” free from partisan considerations.
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February 23, 2024
Ottawa files its appeal of Federal Court’s ruling that gov’t illegally invoked emergency powers
Citing multiple grounds of appeal, Ottawa has asked the Federal Court of Appeal to overturn last month’s Federal Court judgment that the federal Liberal government acted unreasonably and illegally two years ago when it declared a public order emergency and purported to arrogate to itself under the federal Emergencies Act extraordinary powers to end truckers' disruption of the capital and ports of entry in protest of government-mandated pandemic measures.
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February 23, 2024
Two new associate chief judges for Nova Scotia
Judge Ronda van der Hoek and Judge D. Shane Russell have been named associate chief judges, who can, in addition to hearing matters in court, assist the chief judge with responsibilities related to the administration of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court.
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February 21, 2024
Canada sanctions Guatemala’s attorney general, justice officials for undermining rule of law
Canada has established a new sanctions regime under the Special Economic Measures Act to address corruption and anti-democratic actions in Guatemala.
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February 21, 2024
Ontario introduces far-reaching Get It Done Act
As anticipated, Ontario’s government has introduced legislation to “get it done” by shortening environmental assessments, hastening the building of infrastructure, barring new highway tolls and giving voters a chance to nix any future carbon taxes.
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February 20, 2024
Alta.’s Justice Mary Moreau welcomed at celebration of first female-majority Supreme Court of Canada
The milestone appointment of Justice Mary Moreau was celebrated in Ottawa, where the ex-chief justice and former criminal lawyer and constitutional litigator from Alberta was lauded for her “unparalleled work ethic,” “great intelligence” as well as for her “humility” and “compassion.” “For the first time in the history of our country, the majority of judges sitting on the Supreme Court are now women,” federal Justice Minister Arif Virani said
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February 16, 2024
Miller Thomson welcomes lawyer
Miller Thomson LLP has announced that Joan Jung has joined as associate counsel.
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February 16, 2024
Elected regulator ousted for racist comments | Sara Blake
A regulator of a profession may remove an elected member who refuses to sign the regulator’s code of conduct for elected members: Agnew v. Manitoba Dental Assn. [2023] M.J. No. 169.
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February 15, 2024
Tax court considers a novel issue: combination of s. 160, a waiver, and the Interpretation Act
A common issue in the practice of tax law is the derivative liability tax assessment, in this case pursuant to s. 160 of the Income Tax Act, RSC 1985, c 1 (5th Supp). In short, if a taxpayer with a tax debt transfers property to a third party, under certain circumstances, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can assess that party to satisfy the debt of the transferor.