Whether it’s a long weekend, the holidays, as part of some CounterAttack program or just because police feel like it, a police roadblock is a reality nearly all Canadian drivers are familiar with. In the vast majority of cases, motorists will pull up, show the officer their driver’s licence and insurance, and if there are […]
What are my rights at a roadblock in Canada? Continue Reading »
British Columbia’s new NDP government appears to have its sights set on stronger penalties for driving offences. Earlier in November, the government increased penalties for distracted driving by raising insurance premiums for those drivers who receive two or more distracted driving tickets in three years. Previously, that would have cost British Columbians an additional $1,256
British Columbia sets new penalties for street racing, stunt driving Continue Reading »
The Canadian government is increasing the fines for criminal DUIs, codifying aggravating factors that would normally be left up to a judge’s discretion. The changes come as part of the omnibus Bill C-46, which passed its third reading on October 31, 2017. The bill makes significant changes to a number of drinking-driving offences, including the
Increased fines for DUI over .12 coming to Canada Continue Reading »
Acumen Law’s Kyla Lee kicks off the first episode of People of BC’s Justice System — a new podcast focusing on the personalities and roles in the B.C.’s legal world. In our debut episode, Kyla talks to lawyer Chris Carta from Trial Lawyers Advocacy Group about what child support matters get litigated in B.C., and poses a
People of BC’s Justice System: lawyer Chris Carta Continue Reading »
Canadian laws can sentence drunk drivers to serious prison sentences, even if the driver in question was not involved in a serious collision where someone is injured or killed. Going to jail for drunk driving is not uncommon, and in fact, there are mandatory minimum jail sentences for multiple convictions of drunk driving. For a
What determines if I’ll go to jail for drunk driving? Continue Reading »
In another move that opens up Canada’s immigration process, children under 22 are now considered dependents in immigration applications – whether the application is for permanent residency, a visitors visa, or other matters. Call 250-384-0100 now for a free consultation The changes took effect on Oct. 24, 2017. Previously, only those under 19 years old
Children under 22 are now dependents for immigration Continue Reading »
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia is utterly convinced that up to 20% of insurance claims contain an element of fraud or exaggeration. They actually believe that up to $600 million per year in expense is being spent on paying fraudulent claims; and partly as a result of that, ICBC spends more than $300 million
When everyone’s a fraudster: why ICBC would rather not pay you Continue Reading »
Being convicted of serious crimes while a permanent resident in Canada can have potentially irreversible consequences when it comes to immigration admissibility. The laws in Canada state that anyone convicted of a serious crime that has a maximum prison sentence of 10 years or more will be “inadmissible” to Canada. In other words, permanent residents,
Conditional sentences no longer affect immigration admissibility Continue Reading »
You may be eligible for Allowance for the Survivor Benefits Are you one of more than 15,000 British Columbians between the ages of 60 to 64 currently living as a widow or widower? If so, it is likely you are eligible to receive thousands of dollars in Allowance for the Survivor benefits provided by the
Widowed and between 60-64? You may be eligible for benefits Continue Reading »
Are there any circumstances where you have no choice but to drive drunk? If you ask a police officer, chances are that, at least according to them, there are no circumstances where you’d have no choice but to drive drunk. But let’s say your sober, designated driver suddenly had an acute illness – a heart
No choice but to drive drunk. Is that a DUI defence? Continue Reading »
The Canadian federal government made some big changes take took effect on Oct. 11, 2017. The changes come from Bill C-6, an act designed to give more flexibility to those trying to obtain citizenship in Canada. Call 250-384-0100 for a free consultation now! Here’s a list of some of the latest changes: Source: Citizenship and
It’s now easier to immigrate to Canada! Continue Reading »
If it wasn’t clear that BC’s impaired driving laws are overly restrictive, the courts have determined that you aren’t even allowed to grab an item from a car after a few drinks. So did you arrive at the bar in the late afternoon and now it’s getting chilly after dark? Better wait until you’re sober
Grabbing a jacket from your car outside the pub? May as well be driving Continue Reading »
