Opening and Operating a Cannabis Retail Store
After a gradual initial rollout, the Ontario government is now aiming to approve dozens of cannabis retail stores each week, with the goal of approving 1,000 stores across the province by the fall of 2021. This blog summarizes the main requirements for opening and operating a cannabis retail store in Ontario. Retail cannabis stores in […]
Recent Case Law Developments for Multi-Parent Families
A recent case in British Columbia involved a third person seeking an order permitting her to be added to a child’s birth certificate. In both BC and Ontario there are provisions in the legislation governing parentage that permit more than two parents to be named on a child’s birth certificate, but the situations in which that […]
Can I Write My Own Will?
I was recently asked this question and thought the recent news of Larry King’s family’s swift turn to litigation over his estate after his passing on January 23, 2021, was a great example of why writing your own will may not be the best idea. So, can you write your own will? Why, yes you […]
Resulting Trust: an Example of the Impact of Evidentiary Burdens and Legal Presumptions
In a recent decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, The Estate of Pandke v. Lauzon et al. Justice Gordon considers the presumption of resulting trust and the necessity for corroborating hearsay evidence in estate matters. Facts Carol Pandke had a son Steven, and a daughter-in-law Marnee. She wrote a cheque for $35,000 to […]
New Restrictions Under Extended Stay-At-Home Order
On April 16, 2021, Premier Doug Ford announced that the current provincial declaration of emergency and the Stay-at-Home order will be extended for an additional two weeks (until at least May 20, 2021), and effective April 17, 2021 at 12:01am, the following additional province-wide changes and restrictions are in place for the duration of the […]
I Gave 30 Years of My Life to That Job – Shouldn’t My Termination Package Reflect My Years of Dedication and Loyalty?! What About My Retirement Package?!
The law of severance is dynamic and at times confusing. One common misperception is the purpose of severance itself. Many people believe that a severance package is meant to be a reward or acknowledgement for years of dedicated service or a recognition for a job well done. Some very senior employees consider severance as part […]
Severing the Divorce
Typically, family law matters in litigation will include a claim for divorce, as well as a claim for issues arising from the separation such as parenting claims or support claims. Those sorts of claims are referred to as “corollary issues” and those claims can be made pursuant to the Divorce Act, in which case they […]
Restrictions on Businesses During the Third State of Emergency (updated May 13, 2021)
On May 13, 2021, Premier Doug Ford announced that the third state of emergency and provincewide stay-at-home order will remain in effect until at least June 2, 2021. Every Ontarian must remain home, except for essential purposes, such as attending grocery stores or pharmacies, accessing health care services, exercising outdoors or for work that cannot […]
The “Loser Pays” Cost Construct Remains Alive and Well in Estates Disputes
By way of a recent decision by Justice Sheard of the Ontario Superior Court, litigants in estates disputes are reminded again that the “loser pays” system remains applicable to estates disputes, and the court retains its broad discretion to sanction improper conduct by the parties. The parties in Dewaele v. Roobroeck, 2021 ONSC 1604, were […]
