Access to Justice
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April 10, 2025
Ontario court rules virtual access not required under open court principle
The Ontario Superior Court has ruled that denying virtual access to court proceedings does not violate the open court principle, clarifying that the principle does not guarantee the public’s right to be present in the courtroom.
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April 10, 2025
Constitutional clash brewing as Ottawa targets immigration bar with up to $1.5 million in admin penalties
Bar organizations are warning Ottawa that a new administrative monetary penalty regime to be applied to legal professionals — featuring penalties of up to $1.5 million for immigration and refugee lawyers determined by federal officials to have participated in clients’ misrepresentations — will be constitutionally challenged if lawyers are not exempted from the proposed regulations, which are expected to come into force later this year.
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April 10, 2025
Federal Court rejects Canada's motion to strike class action alleging RCMP doctors' misconduct
The Federal Court has dismissed a motion by Canada for an order to strike out portions of a statement of claim and to amend common issues in a class-action proceeding related to alleged abuses by medical doctors employed by the RCMP.
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April 09, 2025
Viability of private prosecutions in hate-motivated crimes
Section 504 of the Criminal Code permits anyone to initiate a criminal proceeding by laying an information in writing, under oath before a justice. In R. v. Mivasair, 2025 ONCA 179, the Ontario Court of Appeal reviews the law respecting private prosecutions including the role and duty of the Crown and the remedies available to an informant where the Crown has intervened and terminated a private prosecution.
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April 08, 2025
Manitoba spends $3.3M to boost RCMP presence in rural areas amid rising crime
Manitoba is investing millions with local RCMP to get more “boots on the ground” in rural parts of the province.
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April 08, 2025
B.C. to lower notice period to end tenancy, publish Residential Tenancy Branch monetary orders
Starting in summer 2025, landlords in British Columbia will only be required to provide tenants three months’ notice, rather than the current four months, to end a tenancy for personal use.
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April 08, 2025
Alberta Court of Appeal: Relocation issues a factor in expropriation possession date extensions
Difficulties faced by business owners in relocating in response to a possession notice under Alberta’s Expropriation Act must be considered by courts deciding applications for possession date adjustments, the Alberta Court of Appeal has ruled.
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April 08, 2025
University of Calgary names director of new Centre for Transformation
The University of Calgary has announced the appointment of Diana Lowe as the inaugural director of its newly established Centre for Transformation.
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April 08, 2025
State-ordered executions topped 1,500 globally: Amnesty International | Aubrey Harris
Canada long ago abolished the death penalty. However, many of us were abruptly reminded of our connection to the human rights of those in other countries when we learned last month of the execution of four Canadians in China this year.
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April 08, 2025
The sounds of court | Norman Douglas
I am retired and miss the sounds of the courtroom. I say “strangely” because until retirement, I never gave any thought to them.