Liability for Environmental Contamination
Liability for Environmental Contamination When purchasing real estate there are a number of items that need to be addressed. One issue that is gaining prominence, particularly in respect of commercial real estate, is the environmental condition of the property being considered for purchase. If the property under consideration is potentially contaminated there are a number […]
A Corporate David and Goliath Story
A Corporate David and Goliath Story David 1:Goliath 0 – So read the headline in the Cobourg Daily Star, Reg Ward’s hometown newspaper. This epic battle, which pitted a small town insurance agent against one of Canada’s largest insurance companies, demonstrates how corporate power run rampant can significantly affect the life of one individual. A […]
Introducing Debbie Jorgensen
Introducing Debbie Jorgensen BSLSC warmly welcomes the newest lawyer to join our growing team – Debbie Jorgensen. Debbie obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Biology from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick in 1999 and her law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax in 2003. She then moved to Ontario to article with a […]
A Warning for Employers
A Warning for Employers In the winter issue of Legal Issues we provided you information about dismissing an employee who is on sick leave. But what happens when an employee becomes ill or disabled shortly after being terminated? This issue was addressed by the Ontario Court of Appeal earlier this year in the case of […]
Should Adult Children Contribute Financially to Their Studies?
Should Adult Children Contribute Financially to Their Studies? In my view, the amount of child support that a parent is ordered to pay should be determined, as a general rule, on the expectation that a child with means, in this case independent assets, will contribute something from those means towards his or her post-secondary school […]
Liability for Guests Who Drink & Drive
Liability for Guests Who Drink & Drive An issue that has recently been making headlines is whether a host is responsible for the actions of a guest who drinks and then drives. The answer is not always straightforward and depending on the type of host (social, commercial or employer) the obligations will vary. Duty of […]
Debts, Security, Priorites
Debts, Security, Priorites Credit plays a significant role in our economy; unfortunately so too does insolvency and red ink. Therefore it is important that creditors have an understanding of the laws that govern debt, security and priorities. In this article we introduce you to three key pieces of legislation. In future editions of Legal Issues […]
Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware
Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware If you are in the market for a home then one of the most important things you should remember are the words Caveat Emptor! Despite the evolving nature of the law, one thing that has not changed is the rule of buyer beware. What this means, is that it is […]
The Child Support Guidelines
The Child Support Guidelines In the late nineties, the federal government made sweeping changes to how child support was calculated by introducing the Child Support Guidelines. The goals of the Guidelines were to make child support fair, predictable and consistent. To this end, certain rules as well as tables were created to assist in the […]
Did you know…Family Medical Leave
Did you know…Family Medical Leave Did you know that you may be entitled to job-protected leave from your job if an immediate family member falls gravely ill?! Last year, the provincial government amended the Employment Standards Act 2000 to provide employees up to 8 weeks of family medical leave. This leave allows the employee to […]