The Friday Brief: Editor-in-Chief’s must-read items from this week

John Carson

On Sept. 12 The Lawyer’s Daily expanded our coverage to include seven more areas of practice and corresponding e-newsletters to bring this content directly to your inboxes: In-House Counsel, Immigration, Tax, Real Estate, Intellectual Property, Insurance and Natural Resources (including mining, energy, forestry and environmental law).

Some content in those areas include:

The Insurtech revolution is gaining momentum, bringing new challenges
While Canadian insurers continue to invest significantly in technology to transform their businesses into digital operations and to promote innovation internally, many are also making significant investments in technology externally.

Ontario changed the real property landscape: Here's what it means to lawyers
There is a frenzy in the market; get in now before it becomes impossible to get in. Huge rises in price also lead to speculation. If the psychology of frenzy persists, there will inevitably be a bust once something unexpected occurs in the economy. Therefore the government hopes to change expectations by bringing in a tax.

Here are my other picks for the top items we published this week across all areas of practice:

Canada’s first transgender judge being his ‘authentic self’
When Kael McKenzie was named to the Manitoba provincial court in 2015 his appointment was reported by CBC News, The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and numerous other media outlets. What made the seemingly routine announcement so newsworthy: McKenzie was Canada’s first self-identified transgender member of the judiciary.

Ontario Provincial Police using GPS darts make roads safer, could threaten privacy
Those involved in the trial project say the use of darts could mean fewer casualties from high-speed chases. Experts, however, warn their use could also lead to privacy issues if overzealous or unscrupulous officers misuse the new technology.

Lawyer warns cannabis bill is constitutionally flawed and harmful
An Ottawa defence counsel says the federal government’s decision not to fully decriminalize cannabis possession will exacerbate court costs and delays, while disproportionately harming young, racialized and poor members of society.

Toronto Transit Commission's anti-harassment app earns cautious praise
The Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) new anti-harassment app could open the door to legal claims if riders wrongfully finger others, or if the TTC is ill-equipped to handle the influx of allegations.

Ottawa releases proposed regulations on data breach notifications
Private sector organizations following federal privacy law will have to provide breach notifications to customers and the privacy commissioner where it is reasonable to believe that the breach creates a “real risk of significant harm,” under long-awaited proposed regulations to Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

John Carson is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of The Lawyer's Daily.