By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • While artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline the disability insurance claim process, an overreliance on the technology is fraught with potential pitfalls, says Ontario disability insurance lawyer Courtney Mulqueen. “I am all for anything that can speed up the application process so that claimants who need an income can get […]
AI ‘must be tempered with the human perspective’ Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • People sometimes want to purchase a home with a tenant since their rent will help pay the mortgage. But other buyers will want the house to themselves. As a prospective buyer, you must know your legal responsibilities to the tenant if you buy the home. “If you want the tenant to
What happens if I purchase a home that has a tenant? Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Some Canadians are unsure if they have a right to self-defence, especially after hearing stories about citizens being charged after they took self-defensive measures, “Simply stated, Canadians have the right to safeguard themselves, as long as their defensive actions are proportional to the circumstances,” says Calgary criminal lawyer Vince Semenuk. “However,
You have the right to self-defence in Canada, within limits Read More »
While we are all looking forward to spending time with family members and friends over the holidays, studies show that the winter months are the riskiest when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. In addition, Fridays, followed by Thursdays, are the riskiest days of the week with the highest number of incidents that result in
Winter weekends are the most dangerous time to be driving Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • During a divorce, couples will see their property divided and one may have to pay the other child or spousal support. Property division and spousal support are rarely straightforward and may involve protracted discussions between spouses and their lawyers, mediation or even litigation. “In Alberta, the Family Property Act (formerly known
How property division and support are decided in a divorce Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Some people may believe police cannot search their vehicle in Canada without a warrant, As with many things with law, the rules in this area are not that simple. “The freedom from random vehicle searches is granted by s.8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, when it states that
Police can search a vehicle without a warrant in some circumstances Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • If you hold someone against their will by using threats, coercion or force, you could be charged with forcible confinement. This charge is commonly laid after a domestic altercation, where one partner does not allow the other person to leave a residence. “It is important to note that the charge of
The charge of forcible confinement is not as simple as it seems Read More »
The Ontario government recently introduced legislation that “would require municipalities to receive approval from the province before installing new bike lanes that would result in the removal of lanes for traffic.” Doug Ford’s Conservative government is also planning to remove bike lanes on Yonge Street, Bloor Street and University Avenue that cost the City of
Will removing bike lanes impact the safety of cyclists? Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Many divorced couples rely on mediation to reach agreement on many important issues. These include: the division of property, assets and debt; spousal and child support; decision-making responsibility (formerly custody); and visitation rights. “The separation process can be overwhelming and filled with acrimony, especially if there are children or sizeable assets
What is mediation and what are its benefits in a divorce? Read More »
By Paul Russell, LegalMatters Staff • Many Canadians enjoy skiing, sledding or just walking through a snow-covered park during the winter. But a downside of the season is the increased likelihood of being injured in a fall, perhaps on an icy sidewalk or in a poorly maintained parking lot. “If you fall because someone neglected
Poorly shovelled sidewalks will lead to slip and falls this winter Read More »
