Family
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April 10, 2026
Osgoode Hall launches new access to justice fund
Toronto’s Osgoode Hall Law School has unveiled a new million-dollar fund to help support access to justice research and students pursuing careers in the area of public interest.
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April 10, 2026
SCC backs insurer in dispute over Quebec death declaration
In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada has clarified the degree of proof required to establish the “return” of a person declared dead under the Civil Code of Quebec. Under the Code, a court can declare a person dead if they have not been heard from in seven years. Known as a declaratory judgment of death, it allows for settlement of a person’s affairs such as permitting succession and dissolving a marriage.
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April 09, 2026
Saskatchewan law society lists upcoming spring conferences
Saskatchewan’s law society has listed several upcoming conferences, including one exploring the use of mediation and another highlighting the contribution of Asian legal professionals.
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April 09, 2026
Witzman, Bi join Clark Wilson’s family law group
Clark Wilson has welcomed Manny Witzman as a partner and Jenny Bi as an associate in its family law group in Vancouver.
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April 09, 2026
Tanzania upheld as appropriate forum in human rights abuse case against Canadian mining company
In a case of numerous alleged human rights abuses and deaths at a Tanzanian mine owned by a Canadian company, the Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld that Tanzania was the more appropriate forum than Ontario. Plaintiffs’ counsel and intervener Amnesty International stated that the decision did not advance access to justice. The case may go to the Supreme Court of Canada.
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April 08, 2026
The rule of law is not a given
Most of us who have grown up in Canada, whether we realize it or not, have always taken the rule of law for granted. We never really thought about it, or what it even was, but that is precisely the point. It has always just been there, like oxygen. You don’t think about oxygen until you have trouble breathing. We as a society are now having trouble breathing.
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April 02, 2026
N.B. giving millions to justice services, increasing various fees
New Brunswick is investing millions in its justice and safety services — including more than $1 million for the agency investigating incidents of death, injury or sexual assault involving a police officer. As part of an April 1 news release, the province also detailed a myriad of fee hikes, including an increase in filing a claim to small claims court, a per-page increase for criminal and family matter transcripts and a rise in costs involving probate court.
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April 02, 2026
We should never lose sight of the ‘access’ in access to justice
I’ve been following the ongoing evolution of paralegal licensure across other Canadian provinces and in select U.S. states for some time now. As an Ontario paralegal, it remains a privilege to be part of a licensed legal profession, particularly in a jurisdiction that was not only the first law society in Canada, but the first law society in the world to regulate and license paralegals.
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April 02, 2026
Can you possess dual citizenship in Canada and should you keep it?
Canadian immigration and nationality policy are rooted in the objective of supporting individuals and families in building meaningful and long-standing connections with Canada. Through its multiplicity of immigration pathways, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has developed innovative programs and shifted immigration policy to provide opportunities for individuals to build their lives in Canada, or if required, to renounce Canadian citizenship.
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April 01, 2026
Ottawa gives Ukrainian CUAET holders extra year to apply to extend temporary work permits
The federal government says Ukrainians who arrived in Canada pursuant to the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) and related measures now have an additional year — until March 31, 2027 — to apply to extend temporarily their work permits for up to three years.