Articles 2020

Joint ownership of property is one of the most commonly used strategies for property ownership in the context of developing an estate plan. There are specific nuances that must be addressed when dealing with jointly owned life insurance.

In the last few years the momentum for change has grabbed hold of the construction industry in Canada, and pulled tight on the reins. Several provinces, as well as the federal government, have been grappling with the issue of prompt payment on construction projects, and trying to determine how best to incorporate the rights and concerns of the most vulnerable parties who are lower down the pyramid: the construction trades.

Blockchain technology and smart contracts have the potential to positively transform financial markets and the business of banking. While the associated benefits are promising, the application of blockchain technology to smart contracts brings with it important technical and legal issues.

In a recent case, G.M. v. X Tattoo Parlour, the HRTO has reinforced that sexual harassment and assault in the workplace are not acceptable and that it will continue to award victims high damages for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect.

Following are summaries of this week’s civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, including Ontario Inc. v. Maple Leafs Foods Inc., in which the Court decided Maple Leafs Foods did not have a duty not to harm the reputation or profits of Mr. Sub franchisees who sold Maple Leaf meats; and, on the Criminal Law front, the Court's decision in R. v. Forcillo, in which the appeal from the conviction of the constable for attempted murder was dismissed.

During the April BBL, the group discussed a number of issues, including the impact of posthumous conception on estate planning, revocation clauses, and submitting a court certified copy of a will to probate where the original will was retained in the jurisdiction in which it was originally probated.

Final funding regulations for single employer plans, proposed funding rules for target benefit multi-employer pension plans, pay transparency legislation, and proposed changes to certain CPP benefits...