The Complete Brief
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January 29, 2026
A wake‑up call on Case Center and counsel accountability
The increasing reliance on digital platforms has fundamentally altered the practice of family law in Ontario. Case Center, now mandatory in the Superior Court of Justice, was introduced to promote efficiency, accessibility and clarity in court proceedings. While the platform has delivered on many of those goals, recent jurisprudence confirms that improper use can undermine, rather than enhance, the administration of justice.
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January 29, 2026
Ottawa tables tax measures to hike GST credit, help defray rising costs of food and other basics
The minority Liberal government has introduced Income Tax Act (ITA) amendments implementing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement earlier this week proposing an increase to the GST/HST credit amounts to help Canadians pay for the skyrocketing costs of food and other essentials.
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January 29, 2026
Feds appoint 2 judges to Alberta Court of King's Bench
The federal government has appointed Jason L. Wilkins and Peter D. Banks as judges of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, both sitting in Calgary.
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January 29, 2026
Davies welcomes partner Nikita Stepin to its technology practice
Nikita Stepin has joined Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP as a partner in the firm’s technology group.
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January 29, 2026
Feds reinforce energy and mining partnerships with India
In an effort to diversify trade, the federal government is working on relationships with Asian markets, “seeking long-term, reliable collaboration in energy and critical minerals.”
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January 29, 2026
B.C. Court of Appeal decides procedural issue, bringing 1994 Mr. Big case closer to appeal
A Newfoundland carpet cleaner convicted of murdering his girlfriend in a 1994 shooting death in Richmond, B.C., is one step closer to having his conviction overturned after the British Columbia Court of Appeal outlined procedural issues that must be resolved before a new appeal can proceed (R. v. Skiffington, 2026 BCCA 26).
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January 29, 2026
B.C., Tahltan approve Eskay Creek mine reopening under Declaration Act framework
British Columbia and the Tahltan Nation have jointly agreed to the reopening of the Eskay Creek gold-silver mine near Stewart, B.C., in a move that is expected to eventually create approximately 1,000 construction jobs and more than 770 operational jobs, according to a B.C. government release.
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January 29, 2026
Holistic mentorship in the legal field
The role played by mentorship in both professional and personal development is indisputable. Whether based on professional-sector or personal identity, mentorship can contribute to higher rates of success. Studies have established a positive correlation between mentorship and youth mental health, as well as sense of belonging in their communities.
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January 29, 2026
Ontario Court of Appeal reasserts evidentiary discipline in anti-SLAPP motions
The Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Yates v. Iron Horse Corporation, 2026 ONCA 38, released Jan. 23, is a clear course correction in the application of Ontario’s anti-SLAPP regime. The court reaffirmed that the public-interest “weighing” exercise under s. 137.1(4)(b) of the Courts of Justice Act is not a discretionary or case-management inquiry, but a tightly constrained statutory test anchored in evidence of harm and causation.
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January 29, 2026
EVIDENCE - Witnesses
Appeal by appellant from his conviction for second-degree murder. Awai was murdered in his apartment, shot twice in the head. The sole issue at trial was the identity of the shooter.