The Complete Brief
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March 31, 2026
Love at first bite? Court of Appeal says ‘no’ in personal injury case
The Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Hartin v. Hynes, 2026 ONCA 227 is a useful reminder that sympathy for an injured plaintiff does not permit the law of agency to be mauled beyond recognition.
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March 31, 2026
What happens when a government can override constitutional rights? Canada is about to find out
One of the most consequential constitutional cases in recent Canadian history was heard this week. At issue is not only the validity of Quebec’s Act respecting the laicity of the State — commonly known as Bill 21 — but also a deeper question: what happens to constitutional rights when governments can override them in advance?
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March 31, 2026
The wizard behind the curtain; the judge beneath the robe: Act II
Toto, draw that curtain back some more. How do we pick our judges?
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March 31, 2026
Canada, Ontario partner to build affordable homes, transit and infrastructure
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have announced a new partnership to build more affordable homes, infrastructure and transit. The PM’s office (PMO) said the partnership will reduce taxes and fees for a home in the province by up to $200,000. As well, it is the federal government’s first partnership through the Build Communities Strong Fund.
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March 31, 2026
Property assignment dispute: Motion for certificate of pending litigation dismissed
When a party assigns its interest in an agreement to purchase a property, do they retain any interest in the underlying property? In many assignment agreements, the assignor relinquishes all right, title and interest in the original purchase agreement in favour of the assignee. The practical consequence of such broad language is that the assignor may be left without any proprietary claim to the property if the assignee subsequently fails to fulfil its obligations under the assignment agreement.
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March 31, 2026
OFFENCES AND ENFORCEMENT - Offences
Appeal by plaintiffs from an order certifying their class proceeding with two limitations, and cross‑appeal by three defendants. The plaintiffs invested in shares of ten publicly traded issuers and alleged that the issuers, their directors, and various consultants participated in a conspiracy to defraud capital markets.
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March 30, 2026
Ottawa launches consultations on first national anti-fraud strategy
The federal government has launched consultations on Canada’s first national anti-fraud strategy, including proposals that could require banks to warn customers about fraud risks during large money transfers.
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March 30, 2026
PM launches process to select Justice Martin’s replacement on SCC bench
On March 30, Prime Minister Mark Carney launched the process to “select the next judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, who will fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Justice Sheilah L. Martin.”
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March 30, 2026
CRA failed to comply with production order amid bias allegations: court
The Federal Court of Appeal has found that the Minister of National Revenue failed to comply with a prior search and production order in litigation over the revocation of the Jewish National Fund of Canada’s charitable status and has ordered further searches and disclosure.
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March 30, 2026
Court rejects competition commissioner’s appeal for disclosure in Amazon investigation
The Federal Court of Appeal has rejected the commissioner of competition’s appeal regarding an application to order Amazon to produce transaction data for certain products in its online store to further an inquiry on fake reviews.