Access to Justice
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September 19, 2025
Federal Court rejects non-lawyer representation in Jordan’s principle case involving 250 children
The Federal Court has dismissed a motion in which a non-lawyer sought to represent 250 children. The matter engaged Jordan’s principle in order to provide funding to an organization that offered behavioural services.
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September 18, 2025
Dalhousie University and faculty ratify labour deal
Dalhousie University and its unionized faculty have now ratified a new, three-year collective agreement, finally ending a lockout that disrupted the start of school.
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September 18, 2025
When charity funds mining: Flow-through shares and the Indigenous consent gap
What if your charitable donation was helping fund mining exploration on Indigenous lands — without the knowledge or consent of the nations impacted?
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September 18, 2025
New trial ordered: Appeal Court unclear what trial judge found as fact along causation pathway
The obituary for 27-year-old Arley John Cook of Black Lake, Sask., states that his funeral mass will be held on Dec. 21, 2021, but does not mention the cause of his death. In fact, the cause remains unresolved after the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ordered a new trial for Jerrick Stalthanee, who was previously acquitted of manslaughter in Cook’s killing but was later found guilty of the lesser offence of aggravated assault in an unreported Saskatchewan King’s Bench decision.
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September 18, 2025
B.C. government policy paper recommending major changes to family law legislation
The B.C. government says it is planning to update its family law legislation after issuing a wide-ranging policy intentions paper recommending major changes to address issues like coercive behaviour and parenting arrangements.
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September 17, 2025
CBA offers Parliament ‘better way’ forward to reform beleaguered immigration and refugee system
As parliamentary debate resumed yesterday over the Liberal government’s proposed ad hoc fixes for Canada’s creaky immigration and refugee system, the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) is offering legislators a detailed roadmap for wholesale modernization that charts an effective, fair and constitutionally sound way forward, members of the immigration bar say.
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September 17, 2025
An answer to Barrie’s homeless emergency: Community
The city of Barrie, Ont., is right to be talking about homelessness. It is indeed an emergency. That said, residents should be and are asking a lot of questions about how things got this bad. More on that to come.
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September 17, 2025
Ontario Court of Appeal clarifies rules of evidence for impaired convictions
Impaired driving is a criminal offence throughout Canada. However, the requirements for the Crown to prove impairment differ depending on the province. The Ontario Court of Appeal decision in R. v. Kim, 2025 ONCA 478 involved three individuals who, after appeals to a Summary Convictions Appeal Court, were convicted of operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 or higher.
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September 16, 2025
Justice of the chocolate-y kind
Canada’s rich history with chocolate extends beyond its culinary appeal to include a fascinating intersection with legal frameworks. As the country continues to innovate and expand its chocolate industry, various legal themes emerge that shape the production, distribution and consumption of this beloved treat.
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September 16, 2025
LEAF welcomes Ruth Goba as executive director
The Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) has announced the appointment of Ruth Goba as executive director.