Access to Justice
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September 12, 2025
Appeal Court orders new trial in British Columbia child exploitation case
The American poet and journalist Carl Sandburg has been quoted as saying, “If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table and yell like hell.” That appears to be the advice that legal counsel might have received when defending Eric David Guenter.
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September 11, 2025
Poilievre proposes bail reform, civil liberties group asserts there’s no evidence for change
On the very same day that federal Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre announced that his party will be introducing the Jail Not Bail Act after Parliament reconvenes in the fall, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) has delivered a strongly worded message to the federal Minister of Justice Sean Fraser: any policy aimed at reforming the Canadian bail system must be based on statistics and not on misinformation. The Thursday statement included a letter the CCLA had delivered in June.
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September 11, 2025
Time to embrace change: Civil justice reform
A fair, accessible, efficient and affordable civil justice system is a critical component of any thriving democracy and economy. The civil justice system in Ontario no longer fulfills its important purpose of resolving disputes of behalf of people, businesses and governments in a just and fair way.
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September 11, 2025
Appeal Court dismisses Charter claims in decades-old sex assault case
On Nov. 5, 2021, Raymond Burke was convicted in a Toronto courtroom of multiple offences, including kidnapping, uttering threats, assault and sexual assault against two women (R. v. Burke, 2021 ONSC 7342).
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September 10, 2025
Back to school, back to court? In-person interventions at the Supreme Court
The start of September always brings to mind back-to-school season. Freshly sharpened pencils, the changing of the leaves and cooler temperatures. Could this fall also bring interveners back into the Supreme Court of Canada courthouse?
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September 10, 2025
Four-pronged appeal in aggravated assault case dismissed
Christopher Parker was charged and convicted of aggravated assault for stabbing Ronald Oster in the neck on Nov. 13, 2020, at a supportive housing facility in Victoria. Oster, a harm-reduction worker and drug user, had allowed Parker and his girlfriend to stay in his unit against housing rules but later tried to evict them.
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September 09, 2025
P.E.I. looking to public input on changes to child support recalculation service
Prince Edward Island is looking for residents’ input on possible changes to legislation governing the province’s child support recalculation program.
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September 09, 2025
The benefits of AI in family law online dispute resolution
Family law disputes represent some of the most sensitive and emotionally charged conflicts within the legal system. Unlike many other areas of law, family law cases often involve deep emotional and psychological challenges, which can complicate negotiation and prolong resolution. The high personal stakes and interpersonal dynamics in family disputes necessitate processes that are not only legally sound but also emotionally supportive and efficient.
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September 08, 2025
N.S. judge extols virtues of province’s new bail court
A top judge in Nova Scotia says the province’s new dedicated bail court will produce “long-term benefits” for the criminal justice system.
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September 08, 2025
Appeal Court reduces sentence for man with cognitive challenges, upholds sexual assault conviction
In a case involving sexual interference and assault, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the conviction against Chad Storey but reduced his six-year sentence to four years and three months to reflect the appellant’s cognitive disability in a decision released on Aug. 28.