Civil Litigation
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February 26, 2026
The politics of parental alienation
Why is everything we do politicalized? Family law is on the cusp of social change, and we have seen many positive developments as a result of meaningful debate. However, I object to the latest attempt to politicalize a frequent issue arising in family law matters by the introduction of a private member’s bill in the House of Commons to banish parental alienation as a matter to be considered in high-conflict parenting disputes.
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February 26, 2026
Ontario Court of Appeal confirms bankruptcy orders appealable as of right
The Ontario Court of Appeal has confirmed that bankruptcy orders are appealable as of right, rejecting arguments that its recent endorsement of a restrictive approach to insolvency appeals means leave is required to challenge a bankruptcy order.
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February 26, 2026
A lawyer’s guide to developing leadership skills
A desire to lead should begin not with a hunger for power, but with an impulse to meet needs. The urge to lead should be born out of a desire to serve and empower. Whether for customers or clients, members or patients, markets or institutions, fulfilling needs through service is leadership.
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February 26, 2026
ABORIGINAL LANDS - Practice and procedure - Appeals and judicial review
Appeal by appellants from a decision that struck the claim against them but allowed Wolastoqey Nation to pursue a declaration of Aboriginal title against the Crown over their privately owned lands.
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February 25, 2026
Statutory contribution claims under Tort-Feasors Act cannot circumvent arbitration agreements: court
A defendant in a tort action cannot rely on the Alberta Tort-Feasors Act (TFA) to avoid an arbitration clause governing disputes with a third party from whom it seeks contribution, the Alberta Court of Appeal has ruled.
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February 25, 2026
Gary Demeulenaere appointed to P.E.I. Supreme Court
Gary G. Demeulenaere, a partner at Stewart McKelvey in Charlottetown, has been appointed to the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.
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February 25, 2026
What the Ontario Court of Appeal wants you to know about commercial contracts
One of the fundamental rules of contract interpretation is that courts adopt a practical, common-sense approach that is not “dominated by technical rules of construction” (Sattva Capital Corp. v. Creston Moly Corp., 2014 SCC 53 at para. 47). The contract is read as a whole, giving the “words used their ordinary and grammatical meaning, consistent with the surrounding circumstances known to the parties at the time” of contract formation.
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February 25, 2026
B.C. decision shows Canadian courts continue to hold privacy in high regard, lawyer says
B.C.’s top court has ruled against an AI company that was arguing that the province’s information and privacy law did not apply to it, with a lawyer saying the decision will likely be cited across the country when courts look at the reach of Canadian privacy laws in the digital age.
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February 25, 2026
Experts, civil liberties associations warn against passing of ‘draconian powers’ in budget bill
More than 100 legal and human rights experts, industry leaders and civil society organizations have released an open letter to Parliament warning that the proposed amendments to the Red Tape Reduction Act in Bill C-15 sets Canada on a “dangerous anti-democratic track” and that sweeping exemption powers for corporations should be removed.
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February 25, 2026
Family agreements: Key provisions regarding governance of multigenerational businesses
In part one of this article, we discussed many key provisions that families should consider including in a family shareholders’ agreement (a “family agreement”) in the context of succession planning. In part two, we will discuss the following additional key provisions that can be addressed in family agreements: