Access to Justice
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August 30, 2024
Public inquiry into foreign interference to hear from policy experts this fall
Experts on foreign interference in democratic elections and institutions will begin testifying this fall as a federal public inquiry enters a crucial policy stage that could help shape future legislative changes.
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August 30, 2024
Time to rethink life with no parole | Norman Douglas
On April 3 and 4, 2024, I was enjoying a momentous weekend. I had driven to Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. from my home in Collingwood for three book signings. It was during the second one on the Saturday morning when I was shocked.
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August 30, 2024
Ontario Appeal Court: Victim demeanour matters
J.F., a St. Catharines, Ont., man who denied assaulting his former partner, was found guilty of 10 of the 14 criminal charges he faced. His name cannot be revealed due to a publication ban. J.F. pleaded not guilty to 14 charges, including sexual assault, forcible confinement and assault with a weapon. The offences were said to have occurred on Jan. 27, 2018.
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August 30, 2024
Lawyer independence as reflected in Legal Professions Act 2024 | Michael D. Lucas
The Legal Professions Act SBC 2024 c. 26 is now law. Most of that Act has yet to be proclaimed, but the cogs are starting to turn for transitioning the regulation of legal professionals, including lawyers, from the law society, which has regulated lawyers independent of government since 1869, over to a new entity called “Legal Professions British Columbia.”
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August 29, 2024
Ontario court upholds regulator’s policy of publishing allegations before tribunal hearings
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Ontario’s policy of publishing documents related to enforcement proceedings prior to a hearing before a tribunal is reasonable, the Ontario Superior Court has held.
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August 29, 2024
Right to data portability soon coming into effect in Quebec
Organizations doing business in Quebec face new compliance obligations as the right to data portability comes into force at the tail end of September, spelling the end of a one-year leniency period following the entry into force of Quebec’s sweeping overhaul of its privacy regime.
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August 29, 2024
New Brunswick appeal addresses colour of right
Tanya Mary Parsons wanted to return to work. She was receiving CPP disability benefits but was delighted to learn she could continue to receive them and accept employment with Moving Forward for Better Inc. as a data entry clerk. Under the program, she could work initially for 10 hours each week (later increased to 15 hours a week) without losing her CPP benefits.
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August 28, 2024
Federal Court: PPSC may intervene in dispute over disclosure of RCMP terror investigation documents
The director of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada has been granted leave to intervene in a proceeding concerning whether the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) can compel the RCMP to produce documents subject to solicitor-client privilege in respect of a complaint investigation.
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August 28, 2024
Ontario Court of Appeal rejects child relocation ruling, pointing to numerous errors by trial judge
The Ontario Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial in a case of a mother wanting to relocate her child to Ireland, ruling that the trial judge misapprehended evidence and had a reasonable apprehension of bias.
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August 28, 2024
Manitoba increasing support for victims’ services
Manitoba is using the seized proceeds of crime to boost support for victims. It was announced on Aug. 27 that the provincial government is increasing this year’s funding to Manitoba Justice Victims Services by 50 per cent.