Monday’s Mix

Each Monday we present brief excerpts of recent posts from five of Canada’s award­-winning legal blogs chosen at random* from more than 80 recent Clawbie winners. In this way we hope to promote their work, with their permission, to as wide an audience as possible.

This week the randomly selected blogs are 1. Canadian Appeals Monitor 2. Michael Geist 3. Labour Pains 4. Canadian Combat Sports Law Blog 5. Doorey’s Workplace Law Blog

Canadian Appeals Monitor
McCarthy Tétrault names Awanish Sinha as Regional Managing Partner, Ontario

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Awanish Sinha as Regional Managing Partner, Ontario. He succeeds Caroline Zayid. Awi’s appointment comes at a time of increasing complexity across markets, where clients are navigating rapidly evolving and often uncertain conditions. His practice has long focused on advising organizations in high-stakes situations where the path forward is not clearly defined, bringing a steady, strategic approach to complex commercial, regulatory and reputational challenges. His work advising on major projects and unprecedented macro-market challenges uniquely positions him for this role at this time to meet the evolving demands of sound judgment, adaptability and perspective. …

Michael Geist
The Online Streaming Act Bill Comes Due: Why the CRTC’s Latest Ruling Guarantees Years of Trade and Legal Battles

The CRTC yesterday released its much-anticipated Online Streaming Act decision that has been years in the making. Given the likely opposition from many stakeholders, it is virtually certain to lead to protracted trade and legal battles. From the moment the government introduced Bill C-10 in 2020, its goal was to impose regulatory obligations on Internet streaming services, treating them as online broadcasters and mandating that they pay into the Canadian system. This week’s ruling puts a number on the payments, building on an earlier 5% interim levy with an additional 10% in expenditure requirements. The combined 15% places Canada among the most expensive operating jurisdictions in the world for streaming services, with consequences that will undoubtedly affect consumer streaming prices. Moreover, …

Labour Pains
Application Best Serves Proportionality, Efficiency, and Justice in Wrongful Dismissal Case: ONSC

Applications remain an appropriate vehicle, if not the preferred approach, for the resolution of wrongful dismissal cases. In an endorsement released May 12, 2026, the Honourable Justice Marc Garson of the ONSC refused a request to convert a wrongful dismissal application into an action. In providing reasons for decision, Justice Garson observed, “Proceeding by application best reflects the principle of proportionality in light of the issues raised. It is also the most efficient, cost-effective and timely means of achieving a just result.” Adding, “While many wrongful dismissal claims involving employment contracts proceed by way of an action, there is no requirement that this case do so.” …

Canadian Combat Sports Law Blog
Can the Government Be Negligent For Not Shutting Down A “Smoker”?

A smoker. In the combat sports world this is slang for an unsanctioned / unregulated fight. Cutting corners. Avoiding regulation. Exposing athletes to the dangers of a potentially neglectful environment. Last week the BC Court of Appeal released reasons for judgement addressing whether the government could be liable for not shutting down such an alleged event. The recent case (British Columbia Athletic Commissioner v. Simon Fraser University) involved a tragic outcome at an amateur level martial arts contest. …

Doorey’s Workplace Law Blog
Backgrounder for Canadians on the Big International Court of Justice Right to Strike Decision

On Thursday, April 21, the International Court of Justice will announce its long-awaited decision on a referral submitted by the International Labour Organization on the question of whether a “right to strike” is recognized in international law. This decision is huge in labour law and it could eventually influence the trajectory of Canadian labour and constitutional law. I will post a summary of the decision, but here is a primer on the case for a Canadian audience. …

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*Randomness here is created by Random.org and its list randomizing function.