Family
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April 03, 2025
Canada’s immigration reset: Why cutting numbers isn’t the answer
In the latest chapter of Canada’s evolving immigration story, political debate is heating up. With the next federal election looming, all eyes are on how each party plans to shape immigration in the face of economic uncertainty, housing crises and shifting demographics. One thing is clear: reducing immigration isn’t as straightforward — or as wise — as it may seem.
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April 03, 2025
Some thoughts on mental health and civility in practice | Gary Joseph
Some of you (or maybe more of you than I think) must be tiring of my writings on the issue of civility. I understand, but the longer I practise, the more I see the importance of civility in our family law practice. Today I wish to reach a little further into this aspect of practice, go somewhat granular, and link civility with the issue of mental health.
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April 02, 2025
Federal Court: Residential schools settlement bars class action by survivors’ children
A proposed class action against the Crown brought by an Indigenous person who was abused by his father, a residential school survivor, has been struck on the basis that it is barred by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
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April 02, 2025
Canadian Judicial Council weighs in on what not to say from the bench
A trial judge who vented his frustrations in court during “a particularly bad day” has been rebuked by the federal judicial council for disrespectful and hurtful comments he made from the bench that publicly belittled and humiliated a litigant.
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April 02, 2025
Nova Scotia strengthens support for Black, Indigenous impacted by gender-based violence
Indigenous and Black victims of gender-based violence in Nova Scotia will be given increased support from the province’s government.
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April 02, 2025
Nova Scotia court refuses another ‘kick at the can’ for unsuccessful family law litigant
Family law litigation is emotionally exhausting and financially draining. Courts of Appeal across Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada, have made it clear that once a trial decision is released, unsuccessful litigants will not have easy access to relief in the Courts of Appeal. Absent the trial judge making a material error, a serious misapprehension of the evidence or an error in law, Courts of Appeal will defer to and will not interfere with a trial judge’s decision.
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April 01, 2025
CJC finds little judicial misconduct as public makes 985 complaints against federal judges in 2024
The Canadian Judicial Council rejected all but three judicial misconduct complaints it decided in 2024, a year that also saw 985 complaints to the disciplinary body for Canada’s 1,224 federally appointed trial and appellate judges.
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April 01, 2025
Law schools, students need to prep for AI in profession: scholar
With the increased use of artificial intelligence in the legal profession, law schools need to consider new forms of education and a revamp in guidance when it comes to students’ career paths, says a scholar.
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April 01, 2025
What 2024 taught us about trusts and estates litigation in Canada
As litigation in estates and trusts law continues to evolve, 2024 marked a significant year for Canadian courts. Several appellate decisions pushed the boundaries of existing doctrines while reinforcing core principles that define estate planning, administration and disputes. The legal landscape increasingly demands sharper attention to detail from lawyers and trustees alike, particularly around limitation periods, testamentary capacity, fiduciary obligations and procedural fairness.
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March 31, 2025
Judicial Council dismisses Barreau’s complaint; no sanction for sentencing judge’s ethical lapse
The Canadian Judicial Council (CJC) has dismissed a complaint from the Barreau du Québec against a sentencing judge who failed to meet judicial ethical standards in expressing from the bench his personal “disgust and contempt” for an offender and his crime.