In-House Counsel

  • June 01, 2026

    Federal Court rejects JTI bid for additional disclosure in federal tobacco charge challenge

    The Federal Court has dismissed a motion by JTI-Macdonald Corp. to compel the disclosure of additional records in its challenge to the federal tobacco cost-recovery regime, reaffirming that Rule 317 of the Federal Courts Rules is not a discovery mechanism.

  • June 01, 2026

    A practical guide to the Intellectual Property Ontario program

    As Ontario’s innovation ecosystem becomes increasingly competitive and technology-driven, intellectual property (IP) has emerged as a critical business asset rather than merely a legal consideration. While many companies invest heavily in product development, software, branding and research, relatively few take proactive steps to identify, protect and commercialize the intangible assets they create.

  • June 01, 2026

    More businesses are improving privacy standards, OPC survey finds

    According to a recent survey by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC), nearly “three-quarters of businesses are highly aware of their privacy responsibilities, and two-thirds are highly prepared to respond to a data breach involving personal information.”

  • June 01, 2026

    Don’t use artificial intelligence in reasons for decision

    The Quebec Superior Court has set aside a decision of a labour arbitrator because the arbitrator’s reasons were written with the assistance of artificial intelligence: Assn des ressources intermédiaires d’hébergement du Québec (ARIHQ) c. Santé Québec - Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, 2026 QCCS 1360.

  • May 29, 2026

    Court awards $22.5M in class action against Toronto doctor for video surveillance

    The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has awarded $22.5 million in a class action against a Toronto plastic surgeon who had surveillance cameras throughout his clinic but did not inform patients or staff.

  • May 28, 2026

    B.C. Court of Appeal: Class member discovery orders not appealable as of right

    The B.C. Court of Appeal has quashed an appeal by Janssen Inc. and Johnson & Johnson in the province’s opioid health-care cost recovery class action, ruling that orders concerning discovery from class members are not appealable as of right.

  • May 28, 2026

    Federal Court refuses summary judgment in RCMP medical examination class action

    The Federal Court has refused to grant summary judgment in a class action concerning allegations claiming physicians conducting mandatory pre-employment medical examinations for RCMP applicants committed sexual assaults and other misconduct over more than four decades.

  • May 28, 2026

    Modernizing federal procurement: The case for arbitration

    Some progress has been made toward modernizing the Government of Canada’s federal procurement system. Achieving maximum efficiency has taken on heightened urgency as the federal government prepares to expand military procurement to unprecedented levels.

  • May 28, 2026

    Online age controls for children: Can they work?

    Recent events such as the Tumbler Ridge shootings have brought to a head the issue of protecting children and youth online. However, the landscape for online harms protection for young people is at a crossroad. Increasing concerns are militating toward adoption of mandated age-control rules in online harms laws and social media bans. Yet in their current state of development, the methodologies for such controls present significant privacy and other societal risks, not only for young people, but potentially all internet users.

  • May 27, 2026

    Bill C-22 requires further amendments to ‘ensure privacy protections,’ commissioner says

    On May 26, Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to discuss Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act, 2026. While the commissioner noted that Bill C-22 “improves on its predecessor Bill C-2 in several respects,” he warned that further amendments are needed to “strengthen and ensure privacy protections for Canadians.”