The Complete Brief
-
June 23, 2025
New rules and regulations as Alberta privacy, access to information legislation becomes law
With Alberta’s new privacy and access to information laws now in effect, legal experts are highlighting the changes that newly released rules and regulations will bring to public bodies and their data management practices.
-
June 23, 2025
OBA announces new board of directors
Katy Commisso will be the next president of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), with her term starting in September.
-
June 23, 2025
Evading tariffs not worth the risk
With Canada’s retaliatory tariffs still in effect due to the ongoing Canada-United States trade war, importers continue to grapple with the significant financial burden of high tariffs rates. In an effort to seek some financial relief, importers might be tempted to consider various “creative strategies” aimed at minimizing the amount of duties paid or payable. Many of these strategies are offered to innocent importers by unscrupulous actors seeking to turn a profit by selling easy answers. Unfortunately, these strategies are usually forms of customs “evasion,” with the importer on the hook for the potential liability.
-
June 23, 2025
Two new judges appointed to the Court of Quebec
Quebec Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette has announced the appointment of Isabelle Charles and Mathieu Locas as judges of the Court of Quebec. According to the announcement, Charles and Locas will serve in the Criminal and Penal Division in Montreal.
-
June 23, 2025
APPEALS - Grounds - Misapprehension of or failure to consider evidence
Appeal by appellant against his conviction for various offences, including assault with a weapon, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of prohibited firearms.
-
June 23, 2025
Alberta Appeal Court balances Taser use, Charter breach against public safety in gun case
To what extent should police error be considered when a court is asked to exclude evidence due to a Charter breach? The Alberta Court of Appeal recently addressed this issue in an appeal against Sheldon Brian Blyan’s conviction (R. v. Blyan, 2025 ABCA 213).
-
June 23, 2025
The smart/stupid dichotomy in law firms
“You don’t get to insult my intelligence and depend on it at the same time.” — Rachel Wasserman
-
June 16, 2025
SCC clarifies how to determine child’s ‘habitual residence’ in non-Hague Convention custody disputes
In upholding an Ontario Superior Court’s assumption of jurisdiction over an international custody dispute, the Supreme Court of Canada has given guidance on how courts should determine the habitual residence of children allegedly wrongly taken or withheld by a parent from a foreign jurisdiction that has not signed onto the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Convention).
-
June 20, 2025
Unifor alleges courier giant DHL is trying to evade new federal anti-scab legislation
Canada’s largest private-sector union is reporting that courier company DHL Express Canada is asking Ottawa for an exemption from new federal anti-scab legislation, which went into effect June 20.
-
June 20, 2025
Building Products of Canada faces national class action over allegedly defective shingles
Quebec-based company Building Products of Canada (BP Canada) is facing a proposed national class action over alleged defects in its Mystique brand of roofing shingles, which have led to water infiltration and damage to homes according to a statement of claim filed with the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court.