The Complete Brief
-
February 23, 2026
Manitoba holds summit on extortion, invests in Punjabi Chamber of Commerce
The Manitoba government held a summit in Winnipeg on Feb. 20 to address “safety concerns” from business owners and community members about “alleged extortion incidents happening in the city.”
-
February 23, 2026
Pallett Valo adds Areeb Daimee to insurance defence group
Areeb Daimee has joined Pallett Valo’s insurance defence group, according to the firm.
-
February 23, 2026
Patrick Sullivan to join Cox & Palmer as strategic business adviser
Cox & Palmer has appointed Patrick Sullivan as a strategic business adviser in its Halifax office, according to the firm. He will join the firm on March 16, 2026.
-
February 23, 2026
Federal Court upholds immigration admissibility referral despite procedural fairness breach
The Federal Court has dismissed a judicial review challenging referrals for immigration admissibility hearings, finding that although the applicants were denied procedural fairness, their proposed submissions would not have altered the decision.
-
February 23, 2026
B.C. Court of Appeal reinforces presumption of early vesting in estate law
When does a class gift vest — upon the testator’s death or at a later time? While vesting often turns on how a will is drafted, in Jack Estate v. Jack Estate, 2026 BCCA 18, the British Columbia Court of Appeal reaffirmed that the presumption of early vesting applies to class gifts absent clear language to the contrary in the testator’s will. The court also made it clear in this decision that the vesting of testamentary gifts will not ordinarily be tied to the timing of estate administration.
-
February 23, 2026
CRA service levels 2026: Why the agency’s 70 per cent call-answering target is a problem for taxpayers
Overview: CRA service levels matter more than targets suggest
-
February 23, 2026
Immigration decision signals tougher era for security inadmissibility cases
The recent Federal Court’s ruling in Sowane v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2026 FC 89 should command the close attention of immigration practitioners. Although the facts concern the used-vehicle export industry and alleged ties to Hezbollah money-laundering networks, the judgment’s implications extend well beyond any single sector.
-
February 23, 2026
APPEALS - Insufficient reasons - Misapprehension of or failure to consider evidence - Unreasonable verdict
Appeal by accused from convictions for sexual assault and sexual interference involving a five-year-old child he was babysitting. The conviction for sexual assault was stayed under R. v. Kienapple.
-
February 20, 2026
Industry welcomes ruling on U.S. tariffs, urges focus on CUSMA review
Canadian business groups have welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under emergency powers. However, they say duties imposed under separate legal authorities continue to weigh on exporters as the two countries prepare for trade talks.
-
February 20, 2026
Competition Bureau expands real estate commissions investigation to Vancouver board
The Competition Bureau has announced it has obtained a court order to gather information from Greater Vancouver REALTORS® to advance its ongoing investigation into real estate commission rules in Canada.