By LegalMatters Staff • Although “wire fraud” is an American term not found in our Criminal Code, that does not mean the offence does not occur in Canada. The crime involves the transfer of money from an individual or organization to a person using telecommunications (the phone) or electronic communications (emails or text messages). “These […]
Wire fraud happens quickly and funds are difficult to recover Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • To show their sincerity prospective home buyers often will include a deposit in their offer to purchase. The deposit forms part of the agreement and is applied against the buyer’s down payment at closing. When an offer to purchase is drafted it will include conditions that have to be met before
A deposit can be recovered when a home sale fails Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Civilians are not allowed to carry concealed weapons in Canada or to have them accessible in a vehicle they control. A person found with a concealed weapon could be charged under s.90 (1) of the Criminal Code. It states, “Every person commits an offence who carries a weapon, a prohibited device
Concealing a weapon can lead to a five-year prison sentence Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • The parenting agreement ex-spouses reach after a relationship breakdown may have to be modified in the years to come. There are various reasons why that could happen. “Over time, the agreement – which spells out who has parenting responsibility and what is the parenting time division – may no longer suit
It may be time to modify your parenting agreement Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Consuming prescription drugs in a manner not prescribed by a medical practitioner is illegal and dangerous, the latter shown by the 7,328 deaths from opioid overdoses across Canada in 2022. “Only a doctor, dentist, veterinarian, nurse practitioner or midwife can legally prescribe prescription drugs,” says Ottawa criminal lawyer Céline Dostaler. “Medications
What is the legal status of prescription drugs in Canada? Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Parents sometimes find it difficult to balance work demands with family time. Faced with these pressures, some grow dependent on alcohol, cannabis or prescription drugs. That addiction is often a contributing factor to the failure of a marriage. If there are children involved, the former partners must reach a parenting agreement
Addiction/abuse allegations can complicate parenting plans Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • One of the most common crimes in Alberta is theft. There were 3,526 charges for theft over $5,000 laid in Alberta in 2022, along with 83,324 charges for theft under $5,000 in that same period, according to Statistics Canada. “If someone is convicted of theft over $5,000, they face a maximum
Alberta accounts for one-fifth of stolen vehicles in Canada Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • American news broadcasts and television shows often reference the charge “assault and battery.” That term is not used in Canada. The most comparable charge we have is assault causing bodily harm. “Bodily harm is an injury that affects someone’s physical health and well-being,” says Ottawa criminal lawyer Céline Dostaler. “It cannot
The charge of assault causing bodily involves physical contact Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Fraud is a common crime, especially in Alberta. Twenty-two per cent of Albertans reported being a victim of fraud in the past five years, according to Statistics Canada, compared to a national average of 17 per cent. “Both of those numbers may be much higher, as fraud is rarely reported to
Incidents of fraud are on the rise across Alberta Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Police will be looking to lay charges whenever someone is unlawfully killed. But will the suspect be charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter? It all depends on the circumstances and the intent behind the act. “A first-degree murder charge is laid when the killing is planned and deliberate,” says
There are key differences between murder and manslaughter Read More »
