Wills, Trusts & Estates
-
April 02, 2026
N.B. giving millions to justice services, increasing various fees
New Brunswick is investing millions in its justice and safety services — including more than $1 million for the agency investigating incidents of death, injury or sexual assault involving a police officer. As part of an April 1 news release, the province also detailed a myriad of fee hikes, including an increase in filing a claim to small claims court, a per-page increase for criminal and family matter transcripts and a rise in costs involving probate court.
-
April 02, 2026
Eco-friendly estate planning: Leaving a more sustainable legacy
Sustainable living does not have to end with your lifetime. In today’s increasingly eco-conscious world, more and more individuals are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and leave things “greener” for future generations. Eco-friendly estate planning can integrate those values into practical decisions that reduce your environmental impact while caring for loved ones after your death. Below are a few “green” options to consider implementing in your estate plan.
-
April 01, 2026
Carney mandates shortlist of 3+ bilingual western jurists for SCC, but only 2 were found last time
The Carney government has opted to stick with the predecessor Liberal government’s requirement that the prime minister be handed a shortlist of at least three bilingual qualified candidates to fill an impending western/northern vacancy on the Supreme Court of Canada, despite the inability of the advisory committee that created the shortlist for the last such vacancy to recommend more than two bilingual qualified jurists.
-
March 31, 2026
Judicial council sanctions handful of federal judges but rejects hundreds of conduct complaints
The Canadian Judicial Council (CJC), which oversees the professional conduct of the country’s 1,184 federally appointed judges, says that five judges were reprimanded or received other disciplinary sanctions last year.
-
March 31, 2026
Alberta pushes for constitutional change on judicial appointments
The Government of Alberta announced that it will introduce a motion calling for “constitutional amendments that give the province a say in superior court appointments.”
-
March 30, 2026
PM launches process to select Justice Martin’s replacement on SCC bench
On March 30, Prime Minister Mark Carney launched the process to “select the next judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, who will fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Justice Sheilah L. Martin.”
-
March 27, 2026
PROCEEDINGS - Appeals and judicial review
Appeal by executor of the estate of Dr. Gersten from a decision striking the estate’s claim against Melody Weimer as statute‑barred under the Limitations Act. After Dr. Gersten’s death, a dispute arose among beneficiaries regarding Weimer’s entitlement under the will.
-
March 25, 2026
Ottawa & provinces roll out disparate views on the ‘notwithstanding’ clause at Supreme Court
Before the Supreme Court of Canada reserved its impending historic decision on March 26, the top court heard starkly different interpretations this week about the nature and operation of the Charter’s s. 33 “notwithstanding” clause.
-
March 26, 2026
Ottawa introduces bill targeting foreign interference, deepfakes and long ballots
The Liberal government has introduced legislation aimed at protecting federal elections from foreign interference, cracking down on “long ballot” protest tactics and curbing election-related misinformation, according to a March 26 release.
-
March 26, 2026
Estate law: Capital gains exemption and qualified small business corporation shares
Canadian taxpayers are currently afforded a cumulative lifetime exemption on capital gains realized from the sale of qualified small business corporation shares and on a qualified farm property or a qualified fishing property. A deduction on capital gains realized from any such sale(s) is permitted, up to the exemption amount, which as of June 25, 2024, was increased from $1,016,836 to $1,250,000, indexed for inflation. The new amount applies to sale(s) that take place after that date.