Deal or No Deal? When Settlement Agreements Are Binding Without a Signature
In the world of employment law, reaching a settlement can often feel like the finish line. But what happens if one side agrees to a settlement, and then changes their mind before signing the formal paperwork? A recent decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Stribling v Starbucks Coffee Canada Inc., 2026 ONSC 1030, sheds […]
A Conversation Worth Having: Estate Planning with Aging Parents
Having a conversation with aging parents about estate planning can feel uncomfortable, but it’s important to start the conversation, not only to put documents in place, but to understand your parent’s wishes and help ensure they are respected when it matters most. Start the Conversation Early Timing is critical. These discussions should begin before a […]
Environmental Class Action Legal First: Punitive Damages Certified Against Federal Government for Delay in PFAS “Forever Chemical” Drinking Water Contamination Disclosure
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision in Egan v. National Research Council of Canada, 2026 ONSC 1429, is a landmark in Canadian environmental class action law. For the first time, punitive damages have been certified as a common issue against the federal government in a PFAS (“forever chemical”) drinking water contamination class action, based […]
Getting it Right the First Time: Why the Remedy of Rectification Isn’t a Safety Net
Rectification is a long-standing recognized equitable remedy that the Court may grant as a means of correcting errors in the recording of terms in written legal documents. In granting rectification, the Court may rectify or change the terms of a written legal document to reflect the actual agreement of the parties and to correct errors. […]
Receiving Spousal Support from a US resident and the Associated Tax Consequences
While it is common knowledge that there are tax consequences in relation to spousal support in Canada, i.e. taxable to the recipient and tax deductible to the payor, there is some ambiguity when it comes to the tax treatment of spousal support when the recipient is Canadian but the payor is a resident of the […]
When History Lies Beneath: What Ontario Homeowners Can Learn from a Kamloops Archaeological Discovery
Introduction: Lessons from a Recent BC Incident In January 2026, a routine landscaping project in Kamloops, British Columbia, became a cautionary tale for property owners nationwide. While expanding a garden, a homeowner unearthed two human skulls and other remains. This discovery immediately halted all work and triggered a complex, emotionally charged process involving police, local […]
Are You Considering Opening a Franchise?
Franchises are an attractive business model in Canada, and with good reason: franchisees can start their own business with the added comfort of working within a proven operating system and utilizing the goodwill of a recognized brand. Franchisors are required, by law, to provide potential franchisees with a comprehensive package of disclosure documents prior to […]
Top 10 Questions Franchisors and Franchisees Should Ask at a Franchise Show
Entering into a franchise relationship is a major business decision for both franchisors and franchisees, carrying long-term implications for everyone involved. Each party brings its own objectives, expectations, and responsibilities, making it essential that these are clearly understood and aligned before any agreement is finalized. Both franchisors and franchisees benefit from approaching the relationship as […]
Case Spotlight: When a Cottage Bequest Creates Unexpected Consequences — Haddock v. Haddock (2025 ONSC 6287)
Cottages often carry decades of memories—but they also carry big estate planning risks, especially as property values skyrocket. A recent Ontario decision, Haddock v. Haddock, shows how a well-meaning gift can turn into a major dispute. In 2012, a mother left her cottage to one of her three adult children. Her will said the appraised […]