SCC gives guidance on interpreting insurance contracts, interplay of endorsements & exclusions
Counsel for the unsuccessful appellants, Joseph Obagi of Ottawa’s Connolly Obagi LLP, said Canadians ‘may need to have very serious conversations with their insurance broker to find out: Do I have guaranteed replacement coverage in the sense that, if my home burns down to the ground today, will you rebuild it tomorrow without me having to self-insure anything?’
Friday, January 30, 2026 @ 6:25 PM
Elaborating on how to interpret insurance contracts, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed 7-2 the appeal of two homeowners who sought to compel their insurer to fully pay for rebuilding their flood-destroyed house, despite an exclusion for “compliance costs” and the ancillary exception that caps the compliance costs payout at $10,000 “for the increased cost of demolition, construction, or repair to comply with any law regulating the zoning, demolition, repair or construction of any insured buildings.” ... [read more]
Labour board’s view that worker’s comments weren’t ‘sexual harassment’ was unreasonable: FCA
Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 5:13 PM
The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that a longtime WestJet employee’s persistent unwelcome comments, which had sexual undertones, were “sexual harassment” that could possibly justify his termination, notwithstanding that the labour board below made findings that none of his intrusive comments to his female coworkers were “sexual in nature or intent” and that no one interpreted his comments in a sexual manner. ... [read more]
Quebec SMEs call for grandfathering clause for Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 5:11 PM
Quebec small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are calling on the federal government for a grandfather clause and transitional measures to combat challenges they are facing due to current restrictions on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and “poorly aligned reforms” between Ottawa and Quebec. ... [read more]
Appeal Court upholds ministerial decision to refuse aquaculture licences in B.C.
Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 4:37 PM
The Federal Court of Appeal has upheld as reasonable a 2023 decision by the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to refuse to re-issue aquaculture licences to salmon farms in B.C.’s Discovery Islands, despite deviating from the department’s recommendation. ... [read more]
Estée Lauder Cosmetics fined for violating Environmental Protection Act
Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 3:01 PM
Estée Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. has been fined $750,000 after pleading guilty to two counts of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The company’s violation of the Act was discovered by Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers during a routine inspection. ... [read more]
