The Complete Brief
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January 07, 2026
McCarthy Tétrault announces 2026 partners
McCarthy Tétrault LLP has welcomed eight new equity partners and 16 new income partners, effective Jan. 1, 2026, according to the firm.
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January 07, 2026
Judge Simmons retires from Nova Scotia Provincial Court
The Honourable Ann Marie Simmons has retired from the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia following a legal career spanning nearly 40 years.
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January 07, 2026
Court finds judicial review of armed forces promotion case moot
The Federal Court has concluded that a judicial review application of a Canadian Armed Forces decision was moot, as the respondent agreed to a redetermination of the applicant’s grievance regarding denied eligibility to become sergeant.
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January 07, 2026
B.C. establishes restricted insurance agency licensing framework
On Dec. 18, 2025, the Government of British Columbia introduced the long-anticipated Restricted Insurance Agent Licence Regulation (Regulation). The Regulation establishes a restricted licensing framework (framework) for businesses that sell ancillary insurance products incidental to their primary business activities, such as add-on insurance offered in connection with the sale or rental of vehicles or electronics.
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January 07, 2026
Some new year’s thoughts on family law
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” This famous saying attributed to the French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr has been considered by many. Is it so simple? Does nothing really change or is it more thought-provoking: does superficial change often mask unchanging circumstances?
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January 07, 2026
Churn through associates if you must, but at least do it well
Back before today’s young lawyers were born, law firms and new lawyers had an unwritten social contract.
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January 07, 2026
Indeterminate sentence upheld despite Gladue appeal
We are all familiar with the fact that trials of Indigenous accused require reviewing what have been called Gladue principles, which can lead to a shorter sentence (R. v. Gladue, [1999] 1 S.C.R. 688). How those principles play out when a court reviews a dangerous offender application was recently the focus of a Saskatchewan Court of Appeal decision (R. v. Sewap, 2025 SKCA 114).
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January 07, 2026
SECURITIES COMMISSIONS - Investigations and examinations
Appeal by Binance Holdings Limited from investigation decisions by the Ontario Securities Commission and the Divisional Court. The Commission launched an investigation into Binance’s business relating to alleged violations of the Securities Act, which included trading in securities without registration or exemption.
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January 07, 2026
An update on copyright, industrial design and breach of confidence developments in 2025
The past year has brought a wave of developments in copyright, industrial design and breach of confidence law, driven in part by the rapid evolution of generative AI and shifting regulatory landscapes. This update highlights notable decisions, legislative trends and policy shifts shaping this environment in 2025.
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January 06, 2026
Transport Canada replaces lifetime pleasure craft licences with five-year renewals
Transport Canada has modified the regulations governing recreational boat licensing to limit the validity of pleasure craft licences (PCLs) to five years, replacing the previous lifetime licensing system, according to a release.