The Complete Brief
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September 19, 2025
The Friday Brief: Editor-In-Chief’s must-read items from the past two weeks
Here are my picks for the top stories we’ve published over the last two weeks.
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September 19, 2025
SCC rules 5-4 in favour of Toronto homeowners’ adverse possession claim against municipal parkland
In a far-reaching adverse possession judgment that rejects a judge-made immunity for municipal parkland facing matured possessory claims in Ontario, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled 5-4 that two Toronto homeowners own a piece of adjoining municipal parkland that was fenced into their backyard decades ago by the home’s previous owner.
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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 19, 2025
David Lametti named Canada’s UN ambassador
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that he will appoint former justice minister David Lametti as ambassador and permanent representative of Canada to the United Nations.
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September 19, 2025
Feds launch public consultations on CUSMA
Following the prime minister’s visit to Mexico, the federal government has launched public consultations on the operation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
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September 19, 2025
CRA hires more staff, boosts digital tools to cut wait times during 100-day improvement plan
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is enhancing its ability to answer taxpayer calls, working through a backlog of tax adjustments, and expanding digital self-serve options as part of its 100-day service improvement plan.
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September 19, 2025
Osler adds Mat Brechtel to IP group in Vancouver
Osler has welcomed Mat Brechtel to its intellectual property practice group as a partner in the Vancouver office.
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September 19, 2025
EVIDENCE - Witnesses - Credibility - Previous record of witness
Appeal by Ramdeo from convictions for kidnapping, use of an imitation firearm to commit an assault and possession of an imitation firearm for a purpose dangerous to the public peace. Kidnappers abducted and beat the complainant before he ultimately escaped from the trunk of the rental car used by the kidnappers.
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September 19, 2025
ADVERSE POSSESSION - Crown lands
Appeal by appellants from a judgment of the Ontario Court of Appeal which upheld a judgment that adverse possession at common law was unavailable against municipal land.
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September 19, 2025
Ottawa targets hate crimes with new legislation
The federal government is taking aim at the rising tide of hate-motivated crime in Canada by introducing legislation that would make it a specific offence under the Criminal Code. That proposal is part of the new Combatting Hate Act, which was unveiled by federal Justice Minister and Attorney General Sean Fraser at a press conference Sept. 19.