Access to Justice
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October 06, 2025
‘Systemically oppressive’ income tax rules give the CRA tools not available to police
The federal government is often criticized for not being tough enough on crime. However, there is little discussion about recent efforts to increase scrutiny on taxpayers. The criminal defence bar in Canada remains highly aware of potential abuses and rights violations when police interrogate their clients. Are Canadian businesspeople just as concerned about safeguarding their constitutional rights?
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October 06, 2025
Saskatchewan to regulate non-lawyers in bid to increase access to justice
Saskatchewan has brought into force legislative changes that will allow “non-lawyer legal professionals” to deliver certain services to the public — something officials with the province’s law society say will enhance access to justice for “underserved” residents.
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October 03, 2025
Canadian Intellectual Property Office rules AI cannot be inventor: The DABUS decision
On June 5, 2025, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s commissioner of patents ruled that Stephen Thaler’s Canadian patent application No. 3,137,161 was refused. The application, which is titled “Food Container and Devices and Methods for Attracting Enhanced Attention,” listed as its inventor DABUS (Device for Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience), an artificial intelligence model created by Thaler.
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October 03, 2025
Lack of clarity in jury instruction leads to new trial in Yukon murder case
Adam Cormack’s body was discovered near a gravel pit sometimes used as an informal shooting range on June 28, 2017. He had a single gunshot wound to the head. Edward James Penner was charged with first-degree murder.
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October 02, 2025
Alberta premier pushes legal challenges to federal policies in justice ministry mandate letter
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has given marching orders to her justice minister on the issues she expects him to tackle during the upcoming legislative session. At the top of the list is using “every legal means possible” to overturn or overhaul a number of federal initiatives, such as the Impact Assessment Act, the oil and gas emissions cap and Ottawa’s clean energy regulations.
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October 02, 2025
Line crossed: IRCC’s proposed administrative monetary penalties should alarm all Canadian bars
The federal government is quietly implementing a regulatory framework that should alarm every lawyer in Canada, regardless of practice area. Under the guise of addressing immigration “ghost consultants,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has crafted administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) that grant it unprecedented authority to discipline lawyers — the same lawyers who routinely challenge that department’s decisions in court.
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October 02, 2025
The legendary Jane Goodall and her influence on animal law
It can rightly be said that few people achieve the status of legend in their own time: Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, was one such person. Goodall passed away on Oct. 1, 2025, at age 91 while on a speaking tour in the U.S. after leading a life that inspired many.
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October 01, 2025
Feds providing funding for tenants’ rights program in N.S.
Canada’s government is giving almost $1 million to a tenants’ rights program in Nova Scotia — to be delivered by the province’s legal aid provider. According to a recent news release, the new Tenants’ Rights Program “will provide Nova Scotians with free legal advice and education to better navigate housing challenges.”
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October 01, 2025
Ontario Court of Appeal upholds convictions in baby’s 2016 death
On Dec. 29, 2016, Durham Regional Police responded to a call from an apartment in Oshawa, Ont. Police found a nine-month-old boy, Kaleb McKay, not breathing. Paramedics tried but couldn’t revive the child. A postmortem was conducted and the death was ruled a homicide. The victim died of numerous injuries.
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October 01, 2025
Future is traditional: Traditional ecological knowledge’s transformative potential in Canadian law
Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan have long cultivated diverse and sustainable land stewardship practices that are integral to their cultural frameworks and relational worldviews. Yet, despite their proven ecological value, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) remains largely peripheral within provincial environmental policy.