Criminal
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March 11, 2025
Saskatchewan Appeal Court reaffirms judge need not be ‘sphinx’
Past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour. That is a precept often heard at parole board hearings. Tyler Robert Vandewater appeared via video link in Miramichi, New Brunswick provincial court on Feb. 27, 2012, and pleaded guilty to an assault that took place Nov. 19, 2010, in the Atlantic Renous Institution.
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March 10, 2025
Saskatchewan balks at expansion of federal gun ban
Saskatchewan's government is objecting to the recent expansion of the federal firearms ban, insisting it hurts law-abiding gun owners.
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March 10, 2025
Iranians face more bans as Ottawa expands scope of sanctions to all Iran’s ‘malign activities’
Ottawa has imposed dealings and immigration bans on Iranian business people and companies connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC’s) weapons production and sales, in a move that also expands the range of Iranian activities that can be sanctioned under the federal Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.
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March 10, 2025
Two judicial appointments made to B.C. courts
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani has announced that Justice Heather MacNaughton has been appointed to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia in Vancouver as a Justice of Appeal, while Justice Julia E. Lawn has been appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver as a judge. The appointments are effective as of Jan. 1 and March 7, respectively.
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March 10, 2025
Procedural errors lead to successful appeal bid
“Hard cases make bad law” is an adage dating back to 1837. It stands for the proposition that cases that spark moral outrage should not be used as precedent for sentencing. Caleb Nettleton is no stranger to cases that result in moral outrage. While not the subject of comment in the most recent judgment, Nettleton's history suggests the Crown’s patience with this offender was likely strained.
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March 10, 2025
Mutual recognition of law licences: A step toward greater access to justice? | Daniel J. Escott
Canada’s first ministers have made a strong commitment to eliminating internal trade barriers, including the mutual recognition of professional credentials across provinces. While this effort is largely driven by economic concerns, including the need to strengthen domestic trade in the face of U.S. tariffs, the proposal raises fundamental questions for the self-regulated-by-jurisdiction legal profession. Specifically, should Canada’s lawyers be able to practice freely across provincial boundaries? And if so, how would this affect the longstanding principle of self-regulation by law societies? Furthermore, how would such a reform impact access to justice for Canadians, particularly those in underserved regions?
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March 10, 2025
PROCEDURE - Trials - Re-opening of trial - Setting aside judgment
Appeal by Crown for leave to appeal summary conviction appeal judge’s (SCAJ) decision and appeal to have the convictions restored against SS for sexual assault and sexual interference against his former girlfriend's daughter, JP.
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March 07, 2025
Canada announces further sanctions against Myanmar military officials
The federal government has announced sanctions against 13 Myanmar senior government officials and three entities, which include the country’s Ministry of Defence and armed forces, for “gross and systematic human rights violations.”
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March 07, 2025
Federal government announces expansion of assault weapons ban and additional protections
Pro- and anti-firearms groups were quick to respond to the federal government’s move March 7 to expand its assault weapons ban by an additional 179 specific guns and its introduction of new measures aimed at protecting people from intimate partner violence involving a firearm.
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March 07, 2025
Addressing the risks in trade finance and regulation of money laundering
Trade finance plays a crucial role in facilitating international commerce, enabling businesses to mitigate risks and optimize cash flow. However, the trade finance sector is not without its vulnerabilities. It presents unique challenges related to money laundering, as criminals can exploit complex international supply chains to obscure illicit activities. This article explores the risks associated with trade finance, the evolving regulatory landscape aimed at combating money laundering, and best practices for stakeholders in this critical sector.