top of page
Search
All Posts


Duelling Was a Crime in Canada Until 2018: The Law, and the Last Fatal Duel Near Perth, Ontario
Canada’s last fatal duel took place near Perth, Ontario, in 1833. This article explains the old duelling offence, the case behind it, and why the law remained until 2018.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
1 day ago4 min read


Don't Scare the Queen: A Law Canadians Never Knew Existed
For more than a century, Canada's Criminal Code made it a serious offence to intentionally alarm the Sovereign, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment. Discover why this unusual law was created, why no reported prosecutions have ever been found, and why Parliament ultimately repealed it in 2019.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Aug 106 min read


A Year of Debate Cut Short: How the Rules of Parliament Have Been Used to Limit Discussion Under the Carney Government
An examination of how time allocation, closure, floor-crossing, and in-camera committees have limited parliamentary debate under the Carney government.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Aug 36 min read


The First False Accusation Laws in History
Canada has had its share of unusual laws. Explore the fascinating history behind outdated Canadian laws, discover which ones have been repealed, which surprising laws still exist, and separate legal fact from fiction.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Jul 274 min read


Squatters' Rights in Canada: Myth vs. Reality
Do squatters really have rights in Canada? Learn the truth behind one of Canada's most misunderstood legal topics, including how adverse possession works, common myths, and why the rules vary by province.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Jul 2012 min read


What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will in Ontario?
Dying without a Will in Ontario can significantly affect who inherits an estate and who is responsible for administering it. Learn how Ontario's intestacy laws work, who qualifies as a beneficiary, and what happens when no valid Will exists.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Jul 1314 min read


The World's First Personal Injury Laws: Compensation and Justice Under the Code of Ur-Nammu
The first personal injury laws appeared more than 4,000 years ago in the Code of Ur-Nammu, the oldest surviving legal code known to history. Long before modern courts and lawsuits, ancient Sumerian law required compensation for injuries such as broken bones, lost teeth, and severed limbs. This article explores how these early laws worked, what the compensation awards may have been worth, and how they helped shape the foundations of modern personal injury law.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Jun 296 min read


Croke v. VuPoint System Ltd.: Vaccination Policies, Frustration of Contract, and Ontario Employment Law
Croke v. VuPoint System Ltd. is a significant Ontario employment law decision examining frustration of contract, workplace vaccination requirements, and the circumstances under which an employment relationship may legally come to an end without constituting wrongful dismissal. The case continues to influence discussions surrounding third-party workplace requirements and employment rights in Canada.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Jun 227 min read


Fast-Tracking Federal Laws in Canada: Rights, Oversight, and the Growing Debate Over Bill C-5, Bill C-9, Bill C-12, and Bill C-2
Recent federal legislation, including Bill C-5, Bill C-9, Bill C-12, and Bill C-2, has sparked debate among lawyers, civil liberties organizations, Indigenous leaders, and constitutional scholars. This article examines the concerns being raised about Charter rights, Indigenous consultation, privacy protections, procedural fairness, and the growing use of fast-tracked legislation in Canada.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Jun 207 min read


The Persons Case: When Women Became "Persons" Under Canadian Law
A single word in Canada's Constitution sparked one of the most important legal battles in Canadian history. The Persons Case challenged whether women were considered "persons" for Senate appointments, ultimately leading to a landmark 1929 decision that reshaped constitutional law and established the enduring "living tree" doctrine. This article explores the case, the Famous Five, and the lasting impact of a decision that continues to influence Canadian courts today.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Jun 86 min read


Aboriginal Title and Private Property Claims in Canada: What the Law Says and Why the Debate Continues
Recent decisions in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (Attorney General), 2025 BCSC 1490 and Wolastoqey Nations v. New Brunswick, 2025 NBCA 129 have renewed debate about Aboriginal title and private property rights in Canada. This article examines the legal principles behind Aboriginal title, the significance of these landmark cases, and the unresolved questions that continue to shape this evolving area of Canadian law.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Jun 69 min read


When Control Becomes Harm: The Supreme Court’s New Tort of Intimate Partner Violence
The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, released on May 15, 2026, recognized a new tort of intimate partner violence. The ruling reflects a growing understanding that abuse may involve more than physical acts and can include coercive control, financial restriction, isolation, intimidation, and ongoing patterns affecting dignity, autonomy, and independence.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Jun 15 min read


Bill C-22: The Privacy Battle Behind Canada’s New Lawful Access Bill
Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act, 2026, has reopened Canada’s long standing debate over privacy, encryption, and investigative access. The bill has drawn support from government officials who describe it as modernization legislation, while technology companies, privacy advocates, and critics question its impact on encryption, digital rights, investment, and Canada’s technology sector.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
May 257 min read


Parental Leave in Canada: What Parents Need to Know
Parental leave Canada is governed by provincial employment laws and federal Employment Insurance benefits, which together set out leave duration, job protection, and income support for eligible individuals.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
May 184 min read


Why Court Filings Do Not Always Reflect Reality in Ontario
Court filings in Ontario do not always reflect real-time developments. Documents may be submitted, matters resolved, and confirmations received, yet the court record can lag behind. This article examines how filing systems, procedural rules, and administrative delays can create gaps between what has occurred and what appears in the official record.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
May 114 min read


Backyard Chickens in Ontario: Municipal Law, Urban Regulation, and Changing Use of Property
Backyard chickens and local bylaws in Ontario

Sara Santos-Vigneault
May 44 min read


The Reality of Project Approvals in Canada: Law, Delays, and Outcomes
Major infrastructure projects in Canada often take years to complete due to overlapping legal requirements, regulatory reviews, and constitutional obligations. This article examines how these processes operate in practice, why timelines extend, and how outcomes can range from approval to delay or cancellation, with broader economic implications.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Apr 274 min read


Section 145 of the Criminal Code: Why "Just a Breach" Charge Carries Real Legal Weight in Canada
Failure to comply with court-ordered conditions in Canada may result in separate criminal charges. Section 145 of the Criminal Code governs breaches of release orders, undertakings, and court attendance obligations.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Apr 2010 min read


Floor Crossing in Canada: Parliamentary Rules, Legal Framework, and Constitutional Debate
Members of Parliament in Canada can change political parties after election and retain their seats, a lawful practice that continues to raise questions about voter expectations and democratic accountability.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Apr 186 min read


The War Measures Act and the October Crisis of 1970: Emergency Powers and Civil Liberties in Canada
In October 1970, the Canadian government invoked the War Measures Act during the October Crisis following kidnappings carried out by the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ). The decision granted the federal government extraordinary emergency powers and led to widespread arrests, military deployment in Quebec, and a national debate about civil liberties and government authority.

Sara Santos-Vigneault
Mar 234 min read
bottom of page