The Complete Brief
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December 20, 2024
Why some sentences are more equal than others
On June 17, Emil Marian Stan and his co-accused Nicoleta Rusu were sentenced after being arrested and tried for a sophisticated shoplifting scheme. Over eight months, Stan and Rusu stole $40,000 worth of high-end products from Shoppers Drug Mart and Lululemon. Rusu wore clothing to conceal the items she stole and Stan assisted by using devices to jam security systems the stores used at their exits.
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December 20, 2024
APPEALS - Burden on appellant - Bias - Insufficient reasons - Misapprehension of or failure to consider evidence
Appeal by appellant from a second-degree murder conviction for the killing of Gerard. The appellant was charged with second-degree murder for beating Gerard to death inside his apartment.
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December 20, 2024
David Milgaard completes marathon mission | Ron Dalton
Yesterday morning as I sat in the small, but inspiringly powerful, offices of Innocence Canada to hear Federal Justice Minister Arif Virani formally announce and celebrate the passing of Bill C-40, I reflected on the extraordinary life of my late friend. The long-awaited legislation brings hope to those suffering the enormous effects of wrongful conviction and is an important step to strengthen Canadians’ faith in our collective justice system. As the minister noted it is unusual for Canadian legislation to be named after individuals, but it is fitting that the bill is known as the David and Joyce Milgaard Law.
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December 19, 2024
Saskatchewan Court of Appeal rules thumbs up emoji was valid signature in contract dispute
A thumbs up emoji sent through a text message is sufficient to satisfy the signature requirement for a contract under the Sale of Goods Act (SGA) under certain circumstances, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has held.
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December 19, 2024
Federal government reports Canada’s GHG emissions have hit a 27-year low
Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault says a decline in Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions to a 27-year low is proof the government’s climate change plan is working and underlines the need for its proposed cap on emissions from the oil and gas industry.
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December 19, 2024
Mortgage relief measures saved Canadians $4 million in penalties, says Financial Consumer Agency
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has published a report saying that Canadians with mortgages from federally regulated financial institutions (FRFIs) have benefited from more than 8,000 mortgage relief measures in the 12 months to June of this year.
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December 19, 2024
New judge appointed to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Supreme Court
Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced that Justin S.C. Mellor has been appointed judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, General Division, in St. John’s.
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December 19, 2024
Observers concerned about use of notwithstanding clause to protect Ontario trespass, drug use law
Ontario legislators will soon be grappling with recently introduced legislation to toughen trespass laws and tackle public drug use as part of its efforts to deal with homeless encampments in the province, but legal observers are raising questions about its constitutionality — and whether the provincial government will take steps to override the Charter to ensure it stays in place.
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December 19, 2024
Lawyer among new members appointed to Order of Canada
On Dec. 18, Governor General Mary Simon announced the names of 88 people appointed to the Order of Canada, including two new members: a lawyer and a family therapist and researcher whose work has touched the legal sphere.
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December 19, 2024
Federal Court of Appeal orders reconsideration of maternity leave discrimination complaint
The Federal Court of Appeal has ordered reconsideration of an unjust dismissal complaint by an employee who was laid off after returning from maternity leave, finding that the adjudicator had not addressed key issues raised by the employee.