Family
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February 24, 2026
CUSTODY, PARENTING, AND ACCESS - Custody and parenting time - Access
Appeal by mother from a case management order that dismissed her application. The application was for recusal of the case management judge (judge) on grounds of reasonable apprehension of bias and varied interim parenting arrangements. The parties married in 2010, separated in 2021, and had one child.
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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.
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February 20, 2026
Ontario appoints 5 new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice
Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey has appointed five new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective Feb. 26, 2026, according to a provincial announcement.
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February 20, 2026
Equal or exceptional? Reapportionment and relationship dynamics in Lamoureux v. Hedquist
In Lamoureux v. Hedquist, 2025 BCCA 438, the parties were involved in a turbulent five-year relationship from 2015 to 2020. Neither entered the relationship with personal assets; however, the husband, Thomas Hedquist, owned substantial and valuable corporate interests at the outset of their union that qualified as excluded property.
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February 20, 2026
B.C. seeks public input on regulated paralegal roles
The British Columbia government is asking for public feedback on what kinds of legal work regulated paralegals should be allowed to do. The Legal Professions Act, which became law in 2024, created a new category of legal service provider — regulated paralegals — who differ from those currently known in the province as paralegals, who work under the supervision of a lawyer and are not allowed to provide legal advice.
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February 20, 2026
Visual law: Using tables, diagrams and pictures in legal work
What if the next presentation you attend is only voice without visuals? If an airplane safety card had only text with no pictures? If a furniture assembly guide was not drawn but written? If the television disappears and only books are left?
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February 19, 2026
When conduct drives costs: Bad faith, unreasonableness and a $220,000 award
The Superior Court’s decision in G.P.R. v. A.K., 2026 ONSC 409 is a pointed reminder of how litigation conduct, both at trial and in the post-trial period, can dramatically shape a costs outcome.
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February 19, 2026
Saskatchewan appoints 3 new provincial court judges
Saskatchewan has appointed three new judges to its provincial court, according to a provincial news release. Sara Knowles will sit in Saskatoon, Matthew Schmeling in Regina and Curtis Wiebe in Prince Albert.
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February 19, 2026
Legal programs cannot be treated as line items on a budget
The Paralegal Town Hall stands in proud partnership with the Ontario Association of Black Paralegals as we introduce a joint open letter addressed to Premier Doug Ford, Attorney General Doug Downey, Minister Paul Calandra, members of college boards of governors, and other key decision-makers across Ontario.
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February 18, 2026
Foreign doctors, senior managers among new categories for Express Entry program in 2026
Foreign researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience are among the new categories of skilled occupations that qualify for Canada’s Express Entry immigration system in 2026.