Access to Justice
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June 11, 2025
Expanded Supreme Court registry services now available in Port Coquitlam, B.C.
The province of British Columbia has announced that residents of its Tri-Cities region (which includes Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody) now have improved access to court services with the opening of a fully equipped Supreme Court registry at the Port Coquitlam courthouse.
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June 11, 2025
Judicial scarcity and Civil Rules Review: We can’t get there from here without more judges
The Civil Rules Review Phase 2 (CRR) states: “There is consensus that the problem of access to timely and affordable civil justice has only gotten worse since Hryniak, particularly following the Supreme Court’s decision in R. v. Jordan” (Hryniak v. Mauldin, [2014] 1 S.C.R. 87; R. v. Jordan, [2016] 1 S.C.R. 631).
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June 11, 2025
Appeal Court stands by trial judge’s balance between probative value and prejudicial evidence
It has been a 13-year ordeal for both the accused and the victim’s family. Unless there is a further appeal, Adam Picard will remain in prison. After being charged with first-degree murder in 2012, a court stayed the prosecution of Picard due to unreasonable delay in 2016 (R. v. Picard, 2016 ONSC 7061). That decision was overturned by the Ontario Court of Appeal (R. v. Picard, 2017 ONCA 692).
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June 10, 2025
Quebec ordered to pay $164 million for Charter breach in class action suit
The Quebec government has been ordered by Superior Court to pay a staggering $164 million in compensatory damages, plus interest, for knowingly violating the rights of thousands of individuals who were arrested and illegally detained for a longer period of time than permitted by the Criminal Code prior to appearing before a justice of the peace.
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June 10, 2025
N.L. construction companies getting help with employee health, safety, recruitment
Newfoundland and Labrador is launching a new digital project aimed at providing more effective health and safety training to small construction companies in the province.
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June 10, 2025
Ontario’s Bill 5: Undermining Indigenous rights, species at risk protections in name of growth
On June 4, 2025, Ontario’s Ford government enacted Bill 5: Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, despite widespread opposition from Indigenous communities, environmental advocates and the broader public. This sweeping omnibus bill amends or enacts 10 different laws, including:
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June 10, 2025
Juries warrant recognition, but seriously
On June 5, the Honourable Lucie Moncion (Ontario, Independent Senators Group) reintroduced Bill S-226 (An Act respecting Jury Duty Appreciation Week) in the Senate. The bill aims to establish a National Jury Duty Appreciation Week, which will take place annually during the second week of May. Its adoption is intended to facilitate yearly recognition of the contributions and dedication of thousands of Canadian jurors and raise awareness among governments and the public about the mental health challenges associated with serving as a juror.
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June 09, 2025
Civil society advocates, information watchdog seek major overhaul of Access to Information Act
Advocates for greater government transparency and accountability have called on the Carney government to stand up an “independent” review — and then speedily overhaul — the much-criticized federal Access to Information Act.
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June 09, 2025
Law Foundation of Ontario appoints new trustee, elects new chair
The Law Foundation of Ontario has announced the appointment of Shalini Konanur to its board of trustees.
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June 09, 2025
Lack of consensus in Bouvette acquittal leaves questions unanswered
When a serious yet inaccurate allegation of criminal wrongdoing is made against someone, permanently halting criminal proceedings without a determination of guilt or innocence is insufficient. What is truly needed is a declaration of being found not guilty.
Access to justice: The language of the litigant counts | Ruphine Djuissi
Access to justice in French is a critical issue for Francophones across Canada, particularly with respect to the availability of legal services in French, the quality of interpretation and translation, and equal language rights. It also includes access to French-speaking lawyers and court documents written in French. It is important to ensure that Francophones have access to legal services in their mother tongue or first official language.
Ontario committed to expanding Unified Family Courts but Toronto still lacking
Ontario’s government is vowing to continue working towards the expansion of Unified Family Courts across the province. But a local lawyer says that until a UFC is placed in the Toronto area, millions are being left to navigate a confusing, “two-tiered” family court system.