We have updated our publications to reflect the federal government’s extension of the ban on foreign buyers of Canadian housing from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2027.

The federal government’s criminal interest rate amendments come into effect on January 1, 2025. The criminal interest rate is lowered from a 60% effective annual rate (EAR) to a 35% annual percentage rate (APR).

The first folder in every By Lawyers matter plan is Getting the matter underway, and it does what it says on the tin!

An increase to the capital gains inclusion rate applies to capital gains and losses from June 25, 2024. For corporations and trusts, the rate is increased from one-half to two-thirds. For individuals, the inclusion rate is one-half of the first $250,000 and two-thirds of the remaining capital gain or loss. The By Lawyers publications have been updated to reflect these changes.

The commentary and precedents have been updated surrounding client details, verification of identity and source of funds to take into account the new Law Society requirements for authentication of client identity documents and monitoring of source of fund information.