In Aukema v. Peters, the Court was asked to hear a special case at first instance, bypassing the Superior Court, to answer the legal question of whether reports to law enforcement alleging criminal activity are protected by absolute privilege or qualified privilege. The Court found that the elements required under r. 22.03 were not met, and that the matter should proceed to trial in the Superior Court in the normal course.
In Sharif v. Canada (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness), the Court upheld the application judge’s decision not to set aside Canada’s decision not to delay the removal of an asylum seeker pending the consideration of the case by the UN’s Human Rights Council. Nevertheless, the removal order was stayed for 60 days.
In Trebell v. Canada Life Assurance Company, the Court allowed Canada Life’s appeal from a summary judgment awarding life insurance benefits to the policy beneficiary. The Court held that the two-year contestability limitation in s. 184(2) of the Insurance Act cannot be imported into s. 180(1)(c). Further, the Court held that s. 180(1)(c) operates as a condition precedent to contract formation, and where a change in insurability occurs between application and policy delivery, the insurer may deny coverage regardless of the passage of time. Finally, the Court further held that the policy’s incontestability clause did not oust the statute’s application.
In Paterson v. Royal Bank of Canada, the appellant argued that the judge erred by striking out his claim for having been brought outside of the 15-year ultimate limitation period.
In UM Financial Inc. v. Central 1 Credit Union, the Court dismissed an appeal challenging a vexatious litigant order under section 140 of the Courts of Justice Act and a personal costs award against a corporate director.
Table of Contents
Civil Decisions
Aukema v. Peters, 2026 ONCA 484
Keywords: Torts, Defamation, Defences, Absolute Privilege, Qualified Privilege, Civil Procedure, Special Case, Rules of Civil Procedure, rr. 22.03, Taylor v. Canada (Attorney General), 2011 ONCA 181, Cusson v. Quan, 2007 ONCA 771, Marcellin v. London (Police Services Board),2024 ONCA 468, Seed v. Delhey (1989), 67 O.R. (2d) 317 (C.A.), Bank of Montreal v. Bray, (1998) 36 O.R. (3d) 99 (C.A.)
Sharif v. Canada (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness), 2026 ONCA 476
Keywords: Administrative Law, Citizenship and Immigration, Refugees, Crown Prerogative, Judicial Review, Jurisdiction, Justiciability, Statutory Interpretation, Customary International Law, Non-Refoulement, Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Can. T.S. 1969 No. 6, s. 33, Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, ss. 46(1)(c), 48(2), 50(e), 72(2)(e) 115, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s. 7, Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966, T.S. 1976 No. 47, s. 4(2), Rules of Procedure of the Human Rights Committee, CCPR/C/3/Rev.12, r. 94, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966, [1976] Can T.S. no. 47, ss. 2(3), 6(1), 7, Judicial Review Procedure Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. J.1, s. 6(2), Federal Courts Act, R.S.C. 1985, c F-7, ss. 2(1), 18(1), Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Can. T.S. 1987 No. 36, s. 3, Interpretation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-21, s. 17, Rules of Procedure of the Human Rights Committee, r. 94, Suresh v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2002 SCC 1, Sharif v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2025 FC 1152, Black v. Canada (Prime Minister) (2001), 54 O.R. (3d) 215 (C.A.), Ahani v. Canada (Attorney General) (2002), 58 O.R. (3d) 107 (C.A.), Toussaint v. Canada (Attorney General), 2023 ONCA 117, Mason v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2023 SCC 21, Nevsun Resources Ltd v. Araya, 2020 SCC 5, Canadian Council for Refugees v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2023 SCC 17, Canada (Prime Minister) v. Khadr, 2010 SCC 3, Operation Dismantle v. The Queen, [1985] 1 S.C.R. 441, Ross River Dena Council Band v. Canada, 2002 SCC 54, Canada (Attorney General) v. TeleZone Inc., 2010 SCC 62, Canada (Human Rights Commission) v. Canadian Liberty Net, [1998] 1 S.C.R. 626, Hupacasath First Nations v. Canada (Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada), 2015 FCA 4, Atawnah v. Canada (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness), 2016 FCA 144, leave to appeal dismissed [2016] S.C.C.A. No. 313, Revell v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2019 FCA 262, leave to appeal dismissed [2019] S.C.C.A. No. 478, Tapambwa v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2019 FCA 34, leave to appeal dismissed [2019] S.C.C.A. No. 105, Baker v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [1999] 2 S.C.R, Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Vavilov, 2019 SCC 65, Canada Post Corp. v. Canadian Union of Postal Workers, 2019 SCC 67, Mahjoub v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2017 FCA 144, leave to appeal dismissed [2017] S.C.C.A. No. 379, Portnov v. Canada (Attorney General), 2021 FCA 171, MacKenzie v. Ottawa Community Housing Corporation, 2023 ONCA 43, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada v. The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency, 2012 FCA 22, Re Keeprite Workers’ Independent Union et al. and Keeprite Products Ltd. (1980), 29 O.R. (2d) 513 (C.A.), Kazemi Estate v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 2014 SCC 62
Trebell v. Canada Life Assurance Company, 2026 ONCA 481
Keywords: Contracts, Insurance, Life Insurance, Conditions Precedent, Change in Insurability, Statutory Interpretation, Civil Procedure, Summary Judgment, Insurance Act R.S.O. 1990, c. I.8, Life Insurance Act, R.S.N.L. 1990, c. L-14, An Act to amend The Insurance Act, S.O. 1961-62, c. 63, Ontario Securities Commission v. Tiffin, 2020 ONCA 217, Ledcor Construction Ltd. v. Northbridge Indemnity Insurance Co., 2016 SCC 37, Telus Communications Inc. v. Federation of Canadian Municipalities, 2025 SCC 15, Rizzo & Rizzo Shoes Ltd. (Re), [1998] 1 S.C.R. 27, Quebec (Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse) v. Directrice de la protection de la jeunesse du CISSS A, 2024 SCC 43, Canadian Pacific Air Lines Ltd. v. Canadian Air Line Pilots Assn., [1993] 3 S.C.R. 724, Piekut v. Canada (National Revenue), 2025 SCC 13, R. v. Alex, 2017 SCC 37, Hunt v. Canada, 2026 FCA 88, R. v. Rafilovich, 2019 SCC 51, R. v. Basque, 2023 SCC 18, Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership v. Rex, 2002 SCC 42, R. v. McIntosh, [1995] 1 S.C.R. 686, Wagner Brothers Holdings Inc. v. Laurier Life Insurance Co. (1992), 8 O.R. (3d) 609 (C.A.), Ryan v. Canada Life Assurance Co. (1999), 179 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 306 (N.L. C.A.), Beattie v. National Frontier Insurance Co. (2003), 68 O.R. (3d) 60 (C.A.), Placer Dome Canada Ltd. v. Ontario (Minister of Finance), 2006 SCC 20, R. v. Shearing, 2002 SCC 58, Kosicki v. Toronto (City), 2025 SCC 28, Saskatchewan River Bungalows v. Maritime Life Assurance Co., [1994] 2 S.C.R. 490, The Provident Savings Life Assurance Society of New York v. Mowat (1902), 32 S.C.R. 147, Donovan v. Excelsior Life Insurance Co. (1916), 53 S.C.R. 539, Patterson v. Gallant, [1994] 3 S.C.R. 1080, Nuraney v. MBA Insurance Brokers Inc. (1989), 38 C.C.L.I. 243 (Ont. H.C.J.), Beldent c. Sun Life du Canada, compagnie d’assurance-vie, 1997 CanLII 10112 (Q.C. C.A.), General Trust of Canada v. Artisans Coopvie, Société Coopérative d’Assurance-vie, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 1185, Van Huizen v. Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company, 2020 ONCA 222, McCunn Estate v. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (2001), 53 O.R. (3d) 304 (C.A.), Miller Paving Limited v. B. Gottardo Construction Ltd., 2007 ONCA 422, Lee v. 1435375 Ontario Ltd., 2013 ONCA 516, Ramey v. Maritime Life Assurance Co. (1972), 2 O.R. 169 (H.C.J.), R. v. Hutchinson, 2014 SCC 19, Pagliaroli v. Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc., 2012 ONSC 6862, Anderson Estate v. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2005 SKCA 130, Emond v. Trillium Mutual Insurance Co., 2026 SCC 3, Sabean v. Portage La Prairie Mutual Insurance Co., 2017 SCC 7, MacDonald v. Chicago Title Insurance Co. of Canada, 2015 ONCA 842, Ashak v. Ontario (Family Responsibility Office), 2013 ONCA 375, Sullivan and Driedger on the Construction of Statutes, 4th ed. (Markham: Butterworths, 2002), General Principles of Canadian Insurance Law, 4th ed. (Toronto: LexisNexis, 2026) (online), Detailed Report of the Superintendent of Insurance and Registrar of Friendly Societies (Toronto: Clarkson W. James, 1924), he Uniform Life Insurance Act of Canada, 2nd ed. (The Life Underwriters Association of Canada, 1937), Superintendent’s 1924 Report, MacGillivray on Insurance Law, 9th ed. (London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1997), The Construction of Statutes, 7th ed., Norwood on Life Insurance Law in Canada, 3rd ed. (Toronto: Carswell, 2002)
Paterson v. Royal Bank of Canada, 2026 ONCA 480
Keywords: Torts, Defamation, Conspiracy to Injure, Civil Procedure, Limitation Periods, Ultimate Limitation Period, Wilful Concealment, Striking Pleadings, Abuse of Process, Collateral Attack, Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24, Sched. B, s. 15, Rules of Civil Procedure, r. 21, Toronto (City) v. C.U.P.E., Local 79 (2001), 55 O.R. (3d) 541, York Condominium Corporation No. 382 v. Jay-M Holdings Limited, 2007 ONCA 49, Kaynes v. BP plc, 2021 ONCA 36, 456 D.L.R. (4th) 247, Das v. George Weston Limited, 2018 ONCA 1053, Zeppav. Woodbridge Heating & Air-Conditioning Ltd., 2019 ONCA 47, M(K) v. M(H), [1992] 3 SCR 6, King v. Victor Parsons & Co., [1973] 1 All E.R. 206 (C.A.), Taylor v. David, 2021 ONSC 3264, Bongard v. Bullen, 2025 ONCA 473, Hamilton v. Open Window Bakery Ltd., 2004 SCC 9, Johnson v. Studley, 2014 ONSC 1732, Bhoola v. Vaughan (City), 2024 ONSC 103, Johnston v. Griffiths, 2025 ONSC 2048
UM Financial Inc. v. Central 1 Credit Union, 2026 ONCA 475
Keywords: Civil Procedure, Vexatious Litigation, Frivolous, Vexatious, Abuse of Process, Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43, s 140, College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba v. Hancock, 2023 MBCA 70, Barry v. Anantharajah, 2025 ONCA 603, Brad-Jay Investments Ltd. v. Szijjarto (2006), 218 O.A.C. 315 (C.A.), Lenczner Slaght LLP v. GlycoBioSciences Inc., 2025 ONCA 841, Agraira v. Canada (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness), 2013 SCC 36, Leitch v. Novac, 2020 ONCA 257, McLean v. Connell, 2025 ONCA 495, Lochner v. Ontario Civilian Police Commission, 2020 ONCA 720, Canada v. Olumide, 2017 FCA 4, Law Society of Upper Canada v. Chavali (1998), 31 C.P.C. (4th) 221 (Ont. C.A.), Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia v. British Columbia (Attorney General), 2014 SCC 59, Re Lang Michener and Fabian (1987), 59 O.R. (2d) 353 (H.C.), Jonsson v. Lymer, 2020 ABCA 167, Schwilgin v. Szivy, 2015 ONCA 816, 1318847 Ontario Limited v. Laval Tool & Mould Ltd., 2017 ONCA 184, Saccon (Litigation Guardian of) v. Sisson (1992), 9 C.P.C. (3d) 383 (Ont. Gen. Div.)
Short Civil Decisions
Avida 2015 Inc (Re), 2026 ONCA 478
Keywords: Bankruptcy and Insolvency, Property of the Bankrupt, Choses in Action, Liquidation, Credit Bids, Civil Procedure, Appeals, Interveners, Avida 2015 Inc. (Re), 2026 ONCA 426
Natario v. RBC Insurance Company of Canada, 2026 ONCA 482
Keywords: Torts, Negligence, Occupier’s Liability, Contracts, Insurance, Defences, Fraud, Civil Procedure, Amending Pleadings, Insurance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.8, s. 132(1), Rules of Civil Procedure, r. 26.01
McClory v. Laird, 2026 ONCA 483
Keywords: Wills and Estates, Estate Administration, Passing of Accounts, Civil Procedure, Applications, Abandonment, Costs, Rules of Civil Procedure, r. 61.14(3)
Cusnir v. Taylor, 2026 ONCA 470
Keywords: Contracts, Real Property, Agency, Insurance, Torts, Professional Negligence, Real Estate Brokers, Civil Procedure, Abuse of Process, Costs, Insurance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.8, s. 132, Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002, SO 2002, c 30, Sched. C, ss. 4 & 9, Rules of Civil Procedure, r. 25.06(1), Girao v Cunningham, 2021 ONCA 18, Benarroch v Fred Tayar & Associates P.C., 2019 ONCA 228, Fong v Chan (1999), 46 OR (3d) 330 (CA)
SPM Charters Inc. v. Flightpath Charter Airways Inc., 2026 ONCA 471
Keywords: Civil Procedure, Summary Judgment, Appeals, Jurisdiction, Final or Interlocutory, Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43, ss. 13 & 19, Rules of Civil Procedure, r. 20 & 20.05, Hryniak v Mauldin, 2014 SCC 7, Tomec v Economical Mutual Insurance Company, 2019 ONCA 839
Children’s Aid Society of the Region of Peel v. A.W., 2026 ONCA 477
Keywords: Family Law, Parenting, Child Protection, Best Interests of the Child, Civil Procedure, Appeals, Extension of Time, Child, Youth, and Family Services Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 14, Sched. 1, s. 74(2)(h), Children’s Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12
Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation v. Canada (Parks)., 2026 ONCA 489
Keywords: Breach of Contract, Civil Procedure, Limitation Periods, Summary Judgment, Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24, Sched. B, ss. 2, 4 & 16(1)(a)
Keywords: Civil Procedure, Appeals, Settlements