Law360 Canada

SCC settles appellate courts’ clash over evidentiary requirements for impaired driving convictions

Photo of Supreme Court Justices Malcolm Rowe and Mary Moreau

In joint reasons for the Supreme Court’s majority in two impaired driving appeals, Justices Malcolm Rowe (left) and Mary Moreau wrote that it was clear that 2018 Criminal Code amendments were designed to ‘create a simplified route to proving an accused’s blood alcohol concentration that is anchored in the scientific consensus on the reliability and accuracy of breath alcohol test results.’

Friday, November 14, 2025 @ 7:15 PM

Ruling 8-1 on the Criminal Code’s evidentiary requirements for impaired driving convictions, the Supreme Court of Canada has clarified that (1) the Crown does not have to prove at trial (but must disclose to the defence) the target value used in a breath test for alcohol and (2) the Crown can rely on a certificate from a qualified technician who administered the breath test to prove the breath machine was properly calibrated. ... [read more]

Federal Court upholds CRA denial of tax relief request based on director’s mental health

Friday, November 14, 2025 @ 3:58 PM

The Federal Court has upheld a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) decision to deny a company’s request for waiver of tax penalties and interest, finding that the agency reasonably rejected claims that the sole director’s mental health and financial difficulties impaired his tax compliance during the relevant period. ... [read more]

B.C. boosts resources for extortion task force targeting threats in South Asian community

Friday, November 14, 2025 @ 3:36 PM

The B.C. RCMP has announced an increase of resources to support ongoing investigations, suppression and enforcement relating to extortion cases and threats largely affecting the South Asian community. ... [read more]

Ontario’s plan to change climate rules spark legal uncertainty: scholar

Friday, November 14, 2025 @ 3:32 PM

The Ontario government is planning to scrap requirements to set greenhouse gas reduction targets and a legal scholar is saying that would bring a court challenge of those rules into a “legal grey area.” ... [read more]

Court authorizes class action over alleged abuse of Indigenous children at youth centres

Thursday, November 13, 2025 @ 4:37 PM

The Superior Court of Quebec has authorized a class action against the provincial government and several health and social service institutions over alleged discrimination and abuse of Indigenous children placed in youth protection centres across Quebec since 1950. ... [read more]