New First-Time Home Buyer 30-year Amortization for Mortgages
The Department of Finance Canada announced on July 29, 2024 that as of August 1, 2024 the Federal Government would allow up to 30-year amortizations for insured mortgages for first-time homebuyers who purchase new build homes. The goal of the initiative is to break barriers and help put homeownership within reach for Gen Z and […]
Privacy in Employment Law – A New Supreme Court Decision
The office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada states that “individuals have a right to privacy at work, even if they are on their employer’s premises and/or using their employer’s equipment”. But, at what point has an employer overstepped an employee’s personal privacy? In the new era of technology, personal privacy in the workplace has […]
Family Adoption in Ontario: What is the Process and How Can a Lawyer Help?
Family adoption, also referred to as “kinship adoption”, is a legal process in Ontario wherein stepparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or great grandparents can bring an application to adopt a child. This blog post will give a broad overview of the process and explain the role a lawyer can play in assisting families as they navigate […]
The Homeowner Protection Act, 2024
Advocates of consumer protection are celebrating the Homeowner Protection Act (“HPA”), 2024, which was passed by the Ontario Legislature on June 6, 2024, banning the registration of Notice of Security Interests (“NOSI”) on title in relation to goods that are used or acquired for the primary use of personal, family, or household purposes (defined as […]
Pet Prenups: Protecting Pets in Breakups
In the realm of family law, the division of assets during a separation or divorce can be a complex and emotionally charged process. Among the many considerations, the fate of beloved pets often emerges as a contentious issue. In Ontario, pets are legally regarded as personal property, similar to furniture or vehicles, rather than family […]
Thumbs-up: Use of Emoji Leads to a Binding Legal Contract
Can the use of a “thumbs-up” emoji in a text message create legally binding obligations? Last summer’s decision by the Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench, which made international headlines, signalled that it may. Among other requirements, in order to have a legal contract, someone must make an offer and someone else must accept it. In […]
Title Searching: Purchaser Entitled to Rely on Land Titles Parcel Register – Lake v Cambridge (City), 2023 ONSC 5200
A 2023 Ontario Superior Court case, Lake v Cambridge (City), 2023 ONSC 5200, confirmed that a purchaser is entitled to complete a transfer relying on the Land Titles parcel register, without having to go behind it to determine whether any municipal subdivision control by-laws has been omitted from the Land Titles register. In July of […]
New Requirement for Private Federal Corporations to Report Individuals with Significant Control
This is an update on my earlier blog posted in 2022 titled “New Requirements for Private Federal Corporations to Report Individuals with Significant Control Coming Soon”. In an effort to increase transparency around beneficial ownership of corporations and to curb illegal activities such as money laundering, tax evasion, and terrorist financing, all private corporations governed […]
Unconscionable Procurement: A Century-Old Tool in the Fight Against Exploitation
“For it is in giving that we receive.” –Francis of Assisi Many of us grew up hearing this mantra. Good people give back. Generous people are good people. But where is the limit? Is there a limit? If you’ve ever watched a loved one being taken advantage of, then you know the answer is yes. […]