Legal Intelligence · Canada

Canada legal & regulatory news

Briefly tracks court rulings, legislation, gazette notices, and regulatory developments across Canada — curated daily from Canada's courts, regulators, and leading legal publications. 107 updates tracked in the past 30 days, last updated 7 Aug.

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Regulatory News

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FINTRAC Project NoCargo Stolen Vehicles: RCMP Recovers 392, Prevents Export

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) · 6 Aug

press_release

Philippe Dufresne: Canada Privacy Act Modernization Submission Filed

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada · 6 Aug

Legal News

Canada

Legal News

Law Commission Canada: Tech Developments Report Addresses Justice System

The Law Commission of Canada (LCC) published its 2025–26 annual report and its "What We Heard" report for January to June 2026. The "What We Heard" report addresses complex power dynamics in the justice system and opportunities arising from tech developments.

7 Aug

Canada

Case Law

Alberta Court of Appeal: Ineffective Defence Counsel Leads to Sexual Assault Retrial

The Alberta Court of Appeal ordered a new trial for a sexual assault conviction, finding ineffective assistance of defence counsel. Defence counsel failed to submit a written closing argument addressing key factual issues like credibility and reasonable doubt, despite agreeing to do so.

7 Aug

Canada

Case Law

Canada Tax Court: Kryski v. The King S. 163(1) Due Diligence Defence Fails

The Canada Tax Court upheld a penalty under s. 163(1) of the Income Tax Act against a taxpayer for repeated failure to report income. The taxpayer, in Kryski v. The King, 2026 TCC 145, underreported $501 in 2022 and $12,715 in 2023.

7 Aug

Canada

Case Law

Ontario Court of Appeal: Ontario Fleet Insurance OPCF 21A Exclusion Affirmed

The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld an insurance coverage exclusion in a fleet policy, ruling that a rental company's failure to schedule a vehicle prior to an accident bars the claim for damages. This decision is significant for practitioners and businesses as it highlights the importance of accurately scheduling vehicles on a fleet policy and the consequences of failing to do so. The court's ruling underscores the need for insurers and policyholders to carefully review and comply with the terms of their policies, particularly in regards to coverage exclusions. The relevant statutes and regulations involved in this case include the Ontario Policy Change Form Monthly Reporting Basis Fleet Endorsement (OPCF 21A), which creates three categories of vehicles with different coverage triggers. The court's decision is also informed by the standard fleet endorsement, which includes an insurance coverage exclusion for vehicles not scheduled prior to the policy's effective date. The key parties involved in this case are West York Sales and Leasing Inc., the owner of the vehicle, 8182485 Canada Inc., operating as Platinum Car and Truck Rental, the lessee, and The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, operating as Travelers Canada, the insurer. Practitioners should take note that this decision emphasizes the importance of accurate scheduling and compliance with policy terms to avoid coverage disputes.

7 Aug

Canada

Legal News

Lisa Haydey Wins A Montague Israels, QC Prize from Law Society of Manitoba

The Law Society of Manitoba has awarded its A. Montague Israels, QC Prize to Lisa Haydey in recognition of her academic and career achievements and community work. Haydey focuses on family law and has a background in psychology, physiotherapy, and healthcare. She began practising as an associate lawyer with Mitousis Family Law Group in September 2025, according to LinkedIn. The prize is a significant honour for Haydey, who received her JD from the University of Manitoba last year and also holds a master's degree in physiotherapy and a bachelor's degree in honours psychology. Her community work includes championing local environmental initiatives and working with underrepresented filmmakers. The A. Montague Israels, QC Prize is awarded by the Law Society of Manitoba to recognize outstanding contributions to the legal profession. Haydey's achievements and commitment to justice embody the legacy of A. Montague Israels, as noted in a media release from the Law Society. This recognition highlights the importance of community work and academic achievement for young lawyers in Manitoba. Practitioners should take note of Haydey's background and experience, particularly her focus on family law and her community work. Her achievements demonstrate the value of interdisciplinary approaches to law and the importance of giving back to the community. Attorneys may also want to consider nominating colleagues or students for similar awards in the future.

7 Aug

Canada

Case Law

Nova Scotia Court of Appeal: Tents as Accommodation Eligible for Enhanced Benefits

A Nova Scotia Court of Appeal ruling has deemed a Halifax man's tent as a form of 'accommodation' under provincial income assistance law, making him eligible for higher benefits. This decision is significant because it sets a precedent that could impact other claimants in similar situations. The legal significance of this ruling lies in its potential to expand the definition of accommodation and increase access to higher benefits for individuals living in temporary or unconventional housing arrangements. The court's decision may also have implications for social assistance policies and programs across Canada, as it challenges traditional notions of what constitutes a suitable place of residence. The relevant statutes and regulations involved in this case are likely the Nova Scotia Income Assistance Act and related regulations. The court hierarchy is also relevant, with the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal being the highest court to consider this matter. The decision may also be influenced by previous court rulings on similar issues, such as the definition of accommodation and the eligibility criteria for higher benefits. The key parties involved in this case are Bradley Lowe's estate, represented by Pink Larkin lawyers Vince Calderhead and others, and the Nova Scotia Department of Opportunities and Social Development. The outcome of this matter is not yet reported, but it is expected to have a significant impact on social assistance policies and programs in Nova Scotia. Practitioners should monitor this development closely, as it may lead to changes in social assistance policies and programs across Canada. Attorneys representing clients living in temporary or unconventional housing arrangements may need to reclassify their clients for higher benefits, and policymakers may need to revisit existing regulations and guidelines to ensure compliance with the court's decision.

6 Aug

Canada

Legal News

Ontario Court of Appeal: No Cap on Shared Fault Damages Under Negligence Act

Ontario's Negligence Act plays a crucial role in determining liability and damages when multiple parties are at fault for an injury. In Ontario, the provincial Negligence Act decides who pays, how much, and who can claim contribution when fault is shared. The legal significance of this development lies in its impact on personal injury lawyers and litigants in Ontario. Understanding how the Negligence Act operates in multi-party proceedings can help build a stronger case, protect rights, and pursue the right parties. The Act's framework for determining liability among defendants is particularly important when one defendant is solvent and another is not. The relevant statutes involved are the Negligence Act (the Act) itself, which governs shared fault in Ontario. Section 1 of the Act is key, as it determines how much each defendant is at fault and makes them jointly and severally liable to the plaintiff. This means the plaintiff can collect the full judgment from any one defendant, regardless of their individual percentage of fault. The courts involved are those that hear personal injury cases in Ontario, including the Superior Court of Justice. The key parties include plaintiffs seeking compensation for injuries, defendants who may be held liable, and the court itself as it determines liability and damages. Practitioners should monitor how this framework is applied in practice to ensure their clients' rights are protected. Practitioner takeaway: Attorneys representing clients in Ontario personal injury cases must understand the Negligence Act's provisions on shared fault and joint and several liability. They should be prepared to navigate complex multi-party proceedings and advocate for their clients' interests within this framework.

6 Aug

Canada

Legislation

Ottawa Launches Canada's First Foreign Influence Registry: A Step Towards Transparency

The federal government has launched a public registry of foreign influence activities in Canada. Anton Boegman has been appointed as Canada's first foreign influence transparency commissioner.

6 Aug

Canada

Case Law