Access to Justice
-
February 05, 2025
Prison phone class action targets Ontario government, Bell | John L. Hill
We call people and companies that make excessive profits at the expense of those who can least afford them nasty names. They might be called profiteers, price gougers, exploiters or opportunists. However, if a class action lawsuit filed in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice is successful, we may not have to use nasty names. We can call them by their real names: Bell Canada and the government of Ontario.
-
February 03, 2025
Let’s not acquiesce to abusive solitary confinement | Catherine Latimer
The final report of the Structured Intervention Unit Implementation Advisory Panel (SIU-IAP) should be a wake-up call for Canadians who value rule of law and the Charter rights fundamental to our nation.
-
February 03, 2025
Chief Justice Wagner says federal judicial appointments on ‘right path’ as vacancies hit low of 30
The minority Liberal federal government has turned around the “untenable” situation Canada’s top judge warned about two years ago that was harming Canadians, due to a persistently-high number of federal judicial vacancies caused by Ottawa’s years-long chronic delays in appointing judges.
-
February 03, 2025
Ontario Court approves $3 million settlement in Fortress Real Developments class action
An Ontario Superior Court judge has approved a $3 million settlement in a class action involving investors who lost millions of dollars in a real estate project funded by now defunct Fortress Real Developments Inc. and its affiliated companies, Fortress Real Capital Inc. and FMP Mortgage Investments Inc.
-
February 03, 2025
Ontario law foundation launches call for applications for access to justice program
The Law Foundation of Ontario has launched a call for applications for the newest iteration of its Catalyst program, which assists non-profits that are working to advance access to justice in the province.
-
February 03, 2025
Manitoba establishes protest ‘buffer zones’ around abortion clinics
Manitoba’s New Democrats have put in place legislation outlawing protests within “buffer zones” around abortion clinics. According to a government news release, the government has proclaimed its Safe Access to Abortion Services Act, which came into force Feb. 1. and provides for “safety perimeters” around clinics performing the procedure.
-
February 03, 2025
New Cold War: Sanctions as weapons to reshape international law, global trade | Hodine Williams
A colleague of mine said it nicely: “In this lifetime, we are witnessing the emergence of a new Cold War.”
-
January 31, 2025
Top judge says SCC wants to hear more private law cases, urges Canadians to ‘fight for’ rule of law
As the Supreme Court of Canada marks its 150th birthday amid rising incursions on the rule of law abroad, Chief Justice Richard Wagner says it can also be an opportune time for Canadians to reflect on the state of their own courts, the rule of law and their independent and impartial justice system.
-
January 31, 2025
Lawyer says decision affirms role of habeas corpus as essential remedy for upholding rule of law
Ontario’s top court has granted a writ of habeas corpus to a man who has been in jail for more than 30 years, saying his trial judge improperly ordered a psychiatric remand and was wrong in levying a dangerous offender designation against him.
-
January 31, 2025
Key amendments to Canada’s criminal defence law in 2024 and 2025, part two
Canada’s legal framework is constantly evolving to address new societal challenges and technological advancements. This is the second half of a two-part series about significant amendments that the federal government has introduced to the Criminal Code and related legislation in 2024 and 2025. These changes reflect a growing emphasis on online safety, national security, and financial accountability.