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What Is a GST/HST Filing Offence? Under Canada's Excise Tax Act (ETA), every GST/HST registrant is required to file returns on time and remit any amounts owing. When a registrant fails to do so, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can pursue administrative penalties, civil collection, and — in more serious cases — criminal prosecution. Most business owners understand that late filing attracts interest and penalties. What many do not realize is that persistent failure to file GST/

What Is Curbsiding Under Ontario Law? "Curbsiding" refers to the practice of selling motor vehicles without being registered as a dealer under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002 (MVDA). The term evokes the image of someone selling cars from the curb rather than from a licensed dealership — but the legal definition is broader and more nuanced than the stereotype suggests. Section 4(1)(a) of the MVDA prohibits any person from acting as a motor vehicle dealer unless they are re

Rule 12.02 permits striking claims in Small Claims Court, but only within strict limits. Singh v. Air Canada, 2026 ONSC 2983 illustrates what happens when a motion judge exceeds those limits.

Singh v. Air Canada, 2026 ONSC 2983 addresses the validity of assigned claims between family members, the limits of champerty, and the procedural duty to consider amendments before striking pleadings in airline delay litigation.

The Divisional Court's decision in Singh v. Air Canada, 2026 ONSC 2983 illustrates how appellate courts correct legal errors — from statutory misinterpretation to the wrongful refusal to permit amendments.

In Singh v. Air Canada, 2026 ONSC 2983, the Divisional Court allowed an appeal, found multiple legal errors in the lower court's decision to strike a passenger's claim, and ordered $7,000 in costs against the airline.

If you have had a licence, permit, or registration refused, suspended, or revoked by a government ministry or regulatory body in Ontario, you may have the right to appeal. Many licensing decisions can be appealed to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is part of Tribunals Ontario. Understanding the appeal process — and acting quickly — can mean the difference between losing your livelihood and keeping it. What the Licence Appeal Tribunal Handles The LAT hears appeals fro

If your employer has asked you to sign a non-compete agreement — or if you are worried about a non-compete clause in your existing employment contract — you are not alone. Non-compete clauses have become increasingly common in Ontario, but a major change in the law in 2021 means that most of them are now unenforceable. The 2021 Ban on Non-Competes Effective October 25, 2021, Ontario's Working for Workers Act amended the Employment Standards Act, 2000 to prohibit non-compete a

In the age of social media, false and damaging statements can spread faster than ever. If someone has made false statements about you — whether online, in writing, or verbally — that have harmed your reputation, you may have a defamation claim. Ontario law provides remedies for both libel (written defamation) and slander (spoken defamation), and in serious cases, the damages can be significant. What Is Defamation? Defamation occurs when someone makes a false statement about y

If you are separating or divorcing and have children, one of the most important issues you will face is how parenting arrangements will work going forward. In 2021, the Divorce Act was amended to replace the terms "custody" and "access" with "decision-making responsibility" and "parenting time." While the terminology has changed, the central principle remains the same: the best interests of the child come first. Decision-Making Responsibility Decision-making responsibility re

Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of serious injury in Ontario, particularly during the winter months. If you have been injured in a fall on someone else's property — whether a store, restaurant, sidewalk, parking lot, or private home — you may have a legal claim for compensation. Ontario law imposes a duty on property owners and occupiers to keep their premises reasonably safe. The Occupiers' Liability Act Ontario's Occupiers' Liability Act requires oc

When a loved one passes away and their will does not seem right — whether because they were pressured into making changes, lacked the capacity to understand what they were doing, or left out someone they had an obligation to provide for — it may be possible to challenge the will in court. Contesting a will in Ontario is a serious legal step, but in the right circumstances, it can correct an injustice. Grounds for Contesting a Will There are several legal grounds for challengi

No one should have to endure harassment at work. Ontario law provides multiple avenues for employees who are being harassed — but knowing which one to use, and how, can be confusing. Whether you are dealing with bullying by a manager, sexual harassment, or a poisoned work environment, understanding your legal options is the first step toward making it stop. What Counts as Workplace Harassment? Under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), workplace harassment is

Many Ontarians put off making a will, assuming they will get to it eventually. But dying without a will — known as dying intestate — can create serious problems for the people you leave behind. Without a will, the law decides who gets your property, who manages your estate, and even who looks after your children. The results may be very different from what you would have wanted. Ontario's Intestacy Rules When someone dies without a will in Ontario, the Succession Law Reform A

Rent increases are one of the most common sources of conflict between landlords and tenants in Ontario. Many tenants do not realize that their landlord cannot simply raise the rent by any amount or at any time. The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) sets clear rules about when and how much rent can be increased — and if your landlord has violated these rules, you may be entitled to a refund. The Rent Increase Guideline Each year, the Ontario government publishes a rent inc

If you have been let go from your job in Ontario, you are likely wondering how much severance you are entitled to. The answer depends on two different legal frameworks — the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the common law — and the difference between them can be substantial. Many employees accept their employer's initial offer without realizing they may be entitled to significantly more. ESA Minimums: Termination Pay and Severance Pay The ESA provides two types of pay

Spousal support — sometimes called alimony — is one of the most contested issues in Ontario family law. Whether you are the one who may owe support or the one who may be entitled to receive it, understanding how spousal support works in Ontario can help you plan for your financial future after separation. Who Is Entitled to Spousal Support? Entitlement to spousal support is not automatic. Under the Divorce Act and Ontario's Family Law Act, a spouse may be entitled to support

When someone breaks a contract — whether it is a business agreement, a service contract, a lease, or any other legally binding promise — you may have the right to take legal action. Breach of contract is one of the most common types of civil litigation in Ontario, and understanding your options early can help you recover what you are owed. What Constitutes a Breach of Contract? A breach of contract occurs when one party fails to perform their obligations under the agreement w

If you believe you have been discriminated against in Ontario — at work, in housing, or in receiving services — you may have the right to file an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). The Ontario Human Rights Code protects people from discrimination on grounds including race, sex, disability, age, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. Understanding how the HRTO process works is the first step in asserting your rights. What t

If you are a regulated professional — a doctor, nurse, dentist, engineer, accountant, teacher, real estate agent, or member of any other regulated profession in Ontario — a complaint or disciplinary proceeding can threaten your career, reputation, and livelihood. Understanding the process and your rights is critical from the moment you learn of a complaint. How the Complaint Process Works In Ontario, most regulated professions are governed by a regulatory college or body. Whe