The Complete Brief
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May 16, 2025
Federal Court extends deadlines for immigration JRs due to surging cases, inadequate gov’t funding
Contending with far too many immigration cases for its tight budget, the Federal Court this week extended by 45 days its regulation 30-day deadlines for litigants to perfect their applications for leave and judicial review of immigration decisions (ALJRs). Why? Because the registry’s beleaguered staff simply can’t keep up, and now often needs weeks rather than days to intake and process the ALJRs — which have more than quadrupled the average volume the court experienced over the five years immediately preceding the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
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May 16, 2025
Surrey bookkeeper sentenced for nearly $1 million in GST/HST evasion
A Vancouver hotel bookkeeper who masterminded a goods and services tax evasion scheme worth almost $1 million has received a conditional sentence of two years less a day and two years’ probation, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced.
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May 16, 2025
Ontario budget includes $5 billion support fund, tax deferrals for businesses amid U.S. tariffs
Ontario’s 2025 budget includes a $5 billion “Protecting Ontario Account” and a suite of tax deferral measures aimed at supporting businesses affected by recent U.S. tariffs.
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May 16, 2025
The Friday Brief: Editor-In-Chief’s must-read items from this week
Here are my picks for the top stories we published this week.
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May 16, 2025
Ontario bill ‘does a good job’ of creating certainty in home, infrastructure construction: lawyer
Ontario legislators are considering a bill aimed at speeding up construction of new homes and transit, and observers are saying the changes are welcome — but note there are a number of things that legal practitioners need to keep an eye out for as a result of the legislation.
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May 16, 2025
Ontario case highlights human oversight function in generative AI which cannot be ignored: law prof
An Ontario judge has criticized a lawyer for the apparent use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in a factum which provided several incorrect case citations, and legal experts are saying the judge's admonishments highlight the need for human oversight of AI and increased attention to the guidance provided by law societies and courts on the use of the technology by legal professionals.
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May 16, 2025
Natasha Sanders joins McLennan Ross in Yellowknife
Associate lawyer Natasha Sanders has joined the Yellowkknife office of McLennan Ross as part of the firm's litigation and advisory practice .
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May 16, 2025
Karl Racine joins Smart & Biggar
The trademarks practice group at Smart & Biggar has been joined by associate Karl Racine.
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May 16, 2025
FOR TORTS - Affecting the person - Defamation - Method of publication - Internet
Appeal by appellants from motion judge’s dismissal of their defamation action against the respondents. The appellants were contracted to perform renovations on the respondents’ home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
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May 16, 2025
Major immigration policy challenges for Carney government
As Mark Carney begins his term as prime minister, the government faces numerous immigration-related challenges. From the growing influx of international students, rising refugee claims, immigration fraud, ongoing delays in application processing, and mounting backlogs, each issue demands thoughtful, strategic solutions. Addressing these pressing concerns will be key to shaping a more efficient, fair and sustainable immigration system.