The Complete Brief
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August 11, 2025
Employers and the off-duty conduct of employees
A recent decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario offers important guidance to employers around off-duty conduct and the obligation to investigate incidents of harassment. The decision, Metrolinx v. Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1587, 2025 ONCA 415 confirms that employers have an obligation to investigate potential incidents of harassment, even in the absence of a formal complaint. It also confirms that employers can discipline for off-duty conduct where that conduct has an impact on the workplace.
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August 11, 2025
Strategies for being selected to apply for Permanent Residency under Express Entry
Canada’s immigration landscape in 2025 is undergoing significant changes, with a focus on reducing overall immigration numbers, prioritizing temporary residents already in Canada for permanent residency, and managing the influx of international students. The Immigration Levels Plan for 2025 to 2027 outlines a gradual decrease in permanent resident admissions, with targets set at 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.
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August 11, 2025
Living proof: Showing evidence of permanent residence key to unlocking GST/HST housing rebate
There are many types of rebate applications that can be filed with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for a refund for GST/HST paid. For example, applications can be made for tax paid in error or for the travel expenses of a First Nations band. There are rental property rebates and, as in the case of Osman v. The King, 2025 TCC 65, the New Housing Rebate. With this rebate, taxpayers are refunded the GST/HST paid for the purchase of a new or substantially renovated home.
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August 11, 2025
SENTENCING - Sentencing considerations - Rehabilitation - Aboriginal offenders
Appeal by Bouvier from dangerous offender designation and indeterminate sentence and application to admit new evidence.
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August 11, 2025
Responsible AI in practice: Leveraging ISO and NIST frameworks
The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) within organizations in Canada is bringing to light the need to balance AI’s innovative potential with stakeholder expectations for responsible AI use and data privacy. At the same time, with AI’s continued growth and use, government bodies, regulators and standards organizations are attempting to establish legislation and voluntary codes that assist organizations using and developing AI in implementing governance systems and practices.
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August 08, 2025
B.C. judge certifies Indigenous child welfare class action despite Federal Court of Appeal setback
The British Columbia Supreme Court has certified a class action on behalf of thousands of off-reserve Indigenous children and families affected by what plaintiffs call the “Millennium Scoop,” alleging the ongoing, widespread removal of Indigenous children from their families by the child welfare system.
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August 08, 2025
Feds launch consultation on Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act regulations
The federal government ammouced it has begun consultations with Canadian industry, businesses and labour representatives to develop regulations under the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act.
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August 08, 2025
Court quashes city council resolution regarding street for lack of reasons
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has quashed a council resolution regarding a strip of road that the appellant sought to get back from the City of Delta. It found the city’s decision to keep the strip was unreasonable due to a lack of reasons.
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August 08, 2025
Finance Department says Canada will soon lower price cap for Russian oil
The Carney federal government says it will further lower the price cap for seaborne Russian-origin crude oil from US$60 to US$47.60 per barrel, with the aim of restricting Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine.
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August 08, 2025
Federal judges seek $60K pay hike but Ottawa says no raise needed to attract senior bar to bench
Chief justices are pointing to newly disclosed data about private bar lawyers’ rising incomes and declining appointments to the bench to bolster the judiciary’s contention that inadequate judicial compensation and onerous job demands are deterring “outstanding” lawyers from seeking federal judicial appointments.