Articles 2021

Today
Today

Plan for the Ban: New Consultation Launched for Plastics Labelling Framework and Federal Plastics Registry

  • June 23, 2023
  • Talia Gordner, partner, Julia Loney, partner, and Khaleed Mawji, articling student, McMillan LLP

This article provides an update on the federal government’s consultation regarding proposed labelling rules to enhance the accuracy of recyclability and compostability information on plastic packaging and the establishment of a federal plastics registry requiring plastic producers to report annually on their plastic contribution to the Canadian economy.

Environmental Law, Student Forum

Emerging Contaminants Update: Government of Canada publishes draft State of PFAS Report

  • June 23, 2023
  • Diana Weir, counsel, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continue to be a hot topic in the field of emerging contaminants. This article provides an overview of the federal government's draft State of PFAS Report and Risk Management Scope, which follow a two-year assessment of the fate, sources, occurrence, and potential impacts of PFAS on the environment and human health in Canada.

Environmental Law, Student Forum

Family Law Disclosure Rules

  • June 22, 2023
  • Frances Wood

The need for full and frank financial disclosure is well known among the family law bar and has been the subject of numerous Court of Appeal decisions. But, the proper route to getting that disclosure as efficiently and effectively as possible can be something of a quagmire. In this paper, we review the fundamental mechanics of the Family Law Rules regarding disclosure.

Family Law, Student Forum

A Deep Dive into Shared Parenting: Families and Finances

  • June 21, 2023
  • Amy Ariganello, law student, Justice for Children and Youth

Navigating a shared parenting arrangement requires careful consideration of what we understand “shared parenting” to mean in various contexts. In the OBA event hosted on June 2, 2023, esteemed panellists discussed the latest developments regarding shared parenting and provided practical insights about all aspects of navigating shared parenting arrangements.

Child and Youth Law, Family Law, Student Forum

Clare's Law - The Need for Domestic Violence Law Reform

  • June 19, 2023
  • Shelby Firth

Clare’s Law is a domestic violence disclosure scheme first introduced in the UK that allows police to disclose previous abusive or violent offending(s) of a current/ex-partner to a victim/potential victim of domestic abuse. This article explores Clare’s Law and its potential implementation in Ontario to address cases of intimate partner violence.

Family Law, Student Forum

Mental Health and More

  • June 19, 2023
  • Christine Roth

Being a family law lawyer is hard. Remember to reach out to colleagues and make connections to protect your mental health.

Family Law, Student Forum
photo of Neha Chugh

Neha Chugh: Addressing Bias Against Trans Communities One Juror at a Time!

  • June 19, 2023
  • Tamara J. Sylvester (they/them)

Recently, the Supreme Court's obiter comments in Chouhan were put to the test. The Ontario Superior Court in R v K.P. granted an application to challenge prospective jurors for cause on the ground that they may be biased against transgender individuals in the community of Cornwall. The lawyer behind the compelling application was Ontario’s very own Neha Chugh. Chugh, who practises criminal, family and child protection law in Eastern Ontario, is no stranger to the spotlight or commendation.

Criminal Justice, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law, Student Forum

Ontario Superior Court Dismisses Climate-Related Charter Application

  • June 16, 2023
  • Kimberly Potter, partner, Fasken; Anastasia Reklitis, associate, Fasken

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently released Mathur v. Ontario, a landmark climate litigation decision. The seven applicants (between the ages of 15 and 27), sought declarations of constitutional invalidity related to Ontario’s legislated greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. The court expressed sympathy for the applicants’ environmental concerns but concluded that based on “the current state of the law” it could not find Charter violations in the circumstances before it.

Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law, Student Forum
photo of Stuart Rudner

The Benefits of ADR for Human Rights Complaints

  • June 16, 2023
  • Stuart Rudner

Even when not mandatory, mediation can provide parties in a human rights dispute with an opportunity to creatively design a process and achieve an outcome that works for them.

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum