Faster criminal & child welfare cases, more family law settlements among reforms led by new SCC judge
New Supreme Court of Canada Justice Glenn Joyal said of his 15 years leading Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench that ‘access-to-justice issues have required us to successfully reform and offer a better judicial service’ that is ‘less complex, less expensive and more prompt’ in criminal, civil, child protection and family law cases.
Thursday, July 02, 2026 @ 5:03 PM
The Supreme Court of Canada’s newest judge says his key areas of legal expertise are constitutional and criminal law, including the rules of evidence and procedure, though he has also presided over many civil and administrative law cases in his generalist trial court. Glenn Joyal, a former federal and Manitoba prosecutor and the longtime chief justice of the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, was elevated by the prime minister to the top court on June 30, succeeding Supreme Court Justice Sheilah Martin of Alberta, the highly respected constitutional and criminal law litigator, academic and judge who retired from the bench May 30. ... [read more]
B.C. Appeal Court sets aside $1.25M judgment in shareholder dispute after admitting fresh evidence
Friday, July 03, 2026 @ 4:55 PM
The B.C. Court of Appeal has set aside a nearly $1.25-million summary trial judgment in a shareholder dispute after admitting fresh evidence that was available earlier and finding gaps in the record on contract interpretation and damages. ... [read more]
Advisory board chair defends failure to shortlist at least 3 bilingual jurists for western SCC seat
Friday, July 03, 2026 @ 4:40 PM
The chair of the advisory board that recommended ex-Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal and one other unnamed jurist for appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada defended the board’s decision not to shortlist three to five names, which was contrary to the mandate from Prime Minister Mark Carney. ... [read more]
Court dismisses multiple appeals in labour contempt case over working hours
Friday, July 03, 2026 @ 4:06 PM
The Federal Court of Appeal has largely dismissed seven appeals in a case in which an employer was found in contempt for not adhering to an arbitral order to cut employee hours. ... [read more]
Family judge exhibited ‘reasonable apprehension of bias’; lawyer warns judges must maintain fairness
Friday, July 03, 2026 @ 1:06 PM
Trial judges must be careful with their comments to lawyers and other parties to avoid the appearance of bias — particularly with family law matters, which often involve “difficult facts, difficult personalities and emotionally charged circumstances,” says a lawyer. The June 16 Nova Scotia Court of Appeal ruling in Stronach v. Stronach, 2026 NSCA 47 involved a parenting and child support dispute. ... [read more]