In-House Counsel

  • May 06, 2026

    Trading aimed at generating tax losses not source of income: Federal Court of Appeal

    The Federal Court of Appeal has upheld a finding that commercial trading activity will not qualify as a source of income for tax purposes if it is undertaken in pursuit of tax losses rather than profit.

  • May 06, 2026

    Privacy Commissioner of Canada issues new age assurance guidance for organizations

    After extensive public consultation, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has issued new guidance on age assurance intended for “operators of websites and online services as well as age assurance developers.”

  • May 06, 2026

    Exit on your terms succession planning for family business owners

    For many family businesses, especially those built across generations, the business is more than an asset. It represents decades of effort, risk-taking, and personal investment, which forms part of the family’s identity and legacy. Many family businesses are passed down among generations, with the ownership and management of such businesses often governed by family shareholder agreements. Yet, other family businesses may lack a clear succession plan when the next generation is not willing or capable of stepping into an owner-manager role.

  • May 05, 2026

    Former SCC justice Louise Arbour named Canada’s next governor general

    Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that former Supreme Court of Canada justice Louise Arbour will become Canada’s next governor general. Arbour will become the first former judge of the top court to take on the vice-regal role.

  • May 05, 2026

    B.C. court rejects First Nation chief's Indigenous law injunction defence

    B.C.’s top court has rejected the arguments from a First Nations chief that he was acting in accordance with his peoples’ traditional laws when violating a court injunction against impeding the construction of a natural gas pipeline, saying such a defence if it were to be recognized could only be raised as a last resort.

  • May 05, 2026

    Superior Court of Quebec annuls arbitration award over AI hallucinations

    In a decision on April 22, the Superior Court of Quebec (SCQ) annulled a 2025 award issued by an arbitrator in a domestic arbitration between the Osman Medical Clinic (Osman) in Quebec and the provincial health authority, Santé Québec-CCSMTL.

  • May 05, 2026

    Anti-SLAPP decision clarifies line between ‘public’ and ‘private’ expression

    Ontario courts continue to refine the boundaries of the province’s anti‑SLAPP regime, particularly at the threshold stage where a defendant must show that a proceeding arises from an expression relating to a matter of public interest. While the test is designed to be a modest one, recent decisions demonstrate that its application can still present difficulties where the line between “public” and “private” expression is blurred.

  • May 05, 2026

    How to avoid a health insurance audit: Top seven triggers

    An audit by an extended health benefits insurer can be an extremely invasive and stressful process for a health provider such as a health clinic or health professional. These audits also carry significant potential consequences, including demands for repayment, being delisted by the insurer and complaints to regulatory colleges.

  • May 04, 2026

    The confluence of AI, intellectual property and estate planning: Preventing calamity

    If part one of this three-part series (see below for link) was the amuse-bouche, this second article is the main course — served with a side of existential dread and a garnish of legal ambiguity. Welcome to the confluence of artificial intelligence, digital replicas and personality rights, where estate planning gets delightfully thorny and occasionally surreal.

  • May 04, 2026

    Queen Mamma serves up important lessons on franchise renewal and termination

    A recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision offers an important reminder for franchisors and franchisees alike: informal renewal arrangements can create significant legal uncertainty.