PFAS Drinking Water Contamination Stigma and Residential Property Value Loss: What Real Estate Professionals Should Know
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” are persistent synthetic compounds used in a variety of products, including firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, and water-resistant textiles. In Canada, PFAS contamination of drinking water is often linked to the historical use of firefighting foams during training exercises at airports and military bases. These activities […]
When Can a Court Set Commercial Rent? Lessons from Gallant v Johnson
The 2025 Ontario Court of Appeal decision of Gallant v Johnson (2025 ONCA 419) demonstrates the limitations of the Court to fix for the parties a rate of rent for a renewal term as part of a commercial tenancy. Background This case arises from a commercial lease entered into between the parties regarding a commercial […]
ESA Updates 2026: The New Rules Reshaping Ontario Workplaces
As of January 1, 2026, new changes to the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) have come into effect. These changes arise from the Working for Workers Four Act, the Working for Workers Five Act, the Working for Workers Seven Act, and Ontario Regulation 467/24 (Rules and Exemptions re Job Postings). This post provides […]
Balancing Enforcement and Fairness: Default Hearings in Ontario Family Law
In Ontario (Director, Family Responsibility Office) v. Petersoo, 2025 ONCJ 569, Justice Stanley Sherr delivers a compelling and instructive decision on the enforcement of child support arrears under the Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act. The court ordered a payor to pay $85,382 in child support arrears and ongoing payments, with imprisonment imposed for […]
A 2L’s Guide to Recruitment Networking Events in Ontario
Recruitment season brings a mix of excitement, preparation, and uncertainty. For many students, networking is one of the most talked-about aspects of the process, yet a daunting part of recruitment. This guide is designed to help you navigate networking in the context of 2L recruitment, including what to expect, how to navigate the room, and […]
Festivity Without Liability: Holiday Party Tips for Employers
As workplace holiday parties return in full-swing, employers should remember that seasonal celebrations require more than just picking the venue and catering, they also require careful and strategic planning to manage risk while celebrating the festivities. Even where a workplace holiday party takes place offsite and outside of regular working hours, employers should be aware […]
Roman Influences on Trust Law
The American writer, William Faulkner wrote that the past isn’t dead. It isn’t even past. Indeed, early Roman values (up to 500BC) are alive and well in today’s trust law, which received an intellectual inheritance from Roman law. Executors, take note, nothing has changed. For example, historians Ward, Heichelheim and Yeo tell us in A […]
PFAS in Canada: From Drinking Water Contamination to Class Action Litigation
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of synthetic compounds valued for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Their chemical stability has driven widespread industrial and commercial use, but also results in environmental persistence and potential health impacts. These characteristics have prompted regulatory scrutiny and emerging class action litigation in Canada. Recent […]
Planning for Autistic Adulthood: Legal Pathways for Ontario Families
Blowing out eighteen candles signifies more than a birthday in Ontario; it marks a significant milestone where young adults gain the legal right to vote, sign any type of contract, independently manage finances, and sue or be sued. An important caveat is that, in Ontario, the ability to consent to or refuse medical treatment is […]